Podcast appearances and mentions of cynthia thurlow

Most women step into perimenopause the same way Gabriela did — in the dark, without language, without a roadmap, and without anyone telling them what was actually happening in their bodies. The anxiety, the brain fog, the rage, the fatigue, the loss of libido — they could feel it all, but they could not make sense of it. Dr. Mariza Snyder felt the same way. Even after 17 years of clinical experience supporting women through this transition.In this episode of Pleasure in the Pause, Gabriela sits down with Dr. Mariza Snyder for one of the most layered and honest conversations this show has ever had. This is a deeply intergenerational conversation and together they bridge that gap and pass the wisdom forward.Are you ready to awaken your sensuality and feel more empowered in your body? Access the FREE Pleasure Upgrade Bundle at https://www.pleasureinthepause.com/gift.Dr. Mariza Snyder is a powerhouse advocate for midlife women, leveraging 17+ years as a practitioner, author, and speaker to spark a massive movement for women in perimenopause and beyond. With her top-rated Energized with Dr. Mariza podcast, she's a trusted guide, offering science-backed solutions for perimenopause and metabolic health. Her new book, The Perimenopause Revolution, is the ultimate resource for women ready to take charge of their health and embrace perimenopause with resilience and confidence. Check out her website, drmariza.com, for solutions to thrive. In this episode, we discuss: The often-overlooked connection between hormones and the nervous systemHow to distinguish what's hormonal from what may be years of accumulated stress and over-functioningThe role of rage as a messenger rather than something to suppressThe practical tools women can use to move through this transition with greater resilienceYou are not going to be the same woman on the other side of this transition. That is not a warning. That is a promise. Perimenopause is equally as destabilizing as it is transformative — and the more you understand what your body is doing and why, the more you can move through it with clarity, compassion, and a sense of what is actually possible on the other side. If you're seeking to reclaim your pleasure and vitality, join Gabriella at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.pleasureinthepause.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for this enlightening journey into the heart of female pleasure and empowerment.CONNECT WITH DR. MARIZA SNYDER:FaceBook: https://www.facebook.com/drmarizasnyder/Insta: https://instagram.com/drmariza/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/drmarizasnyderLINKS MENTIONED: Episode 107 — From Survival Mode to Self-Connection https://www.pleasureinthepause.com/blog/nervous-system-reset-for-midlife-women Episode 106 — The Menopause Gut with Cynthia Thurlow https://www.pleasureinthepause.com/blog/midlife-sobriety-and-returning-to-yourself-with-ashley-kelsch CONNECT WITH GABRIELLA ESPINOSA:InstagramLinkedInWork with Gabriella! Full episodes on YouTube.The information shared on Pleasure in the Pause is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider before making any decisions about your health or treatment. The views expressed by guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views of the host or Pleasure in the Pause.

Bloating. Brain fog. Stubborn weight that won't budge. What if it's not failing hormones—it's your gut asking for help? As estrogen declines, the gut microbiome becomes midlife's new control center, driving everything from immunity and mood to metabolism and menopause weight gain. Nurse practitioner, TEDx speaker, and Everyday Wellness host Cynthia Thurlow joins us to unpack her new bestseller, The Menopause Gut. You'll learn what "leaky gut" really means, how the estrobolome affects hormone balance, the critical gut-bone health axis, and which gut health tests matter in perimenopause and menopause. Time for a gut check! FOLLOW A CERTAIN AGE ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ GET INBOX INSPO: Sign up for our newsletter ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠AGE BOLDLY⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ We share new episodes, giveaways, links we love, and midlife resources Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Coffee First Thing, Fasted Workouts, and Why Your Morning Routine Is Wrecking Your Hormones in Midlife Morning fatigue isn't just about bad sleep — the first hour of your day shapes your hormone balance, metabolism, brain fog, and energy. Have you ever done everything "right" — fasted workout, coffee on an empty stomach, fasting until noon — and still felt more exhausted and anxious than ever? In this solo episode, I break down why those wellness habits are cortisol-wrecking chaos for a midlife woman. They were built for a twenty-five-year-old man's body, not yours. I'll walk you through six science-backed things to do before 9 AM that actually match your physiology, plus a twenty-minute version for busy mornings. Key Points The one simple swap that changes how women feel more than almost anything I recommend — and why order matters more than the habit. Why that "I can't function without coffee" feeling isn't an addiction — it's a hormonal clue most women miss. The reason your thyroid labs keep coming back "normal" while you still have every symptom of an underactive thyroid. How one client lost weight and got her energy back with six small morning swaps. We connect the dots between cortisol, the HPA axis, blood sugar, thyroid function, and metabolism — so you can finally understand why the "healthy" things you're doing might be working against you. Stop wasting time (and money) on products that don't work. My Trusted Brands Guide is the exact list I share with my private clients — the skincare, supplements, food, and wellness tools that have been tested and proven to deliver results. No fluff. No guesswork. Just the brands you can finally feel good about using. ✨ Plus, I scored exclusive discounts from some of these companies just for my community.

Cynthia Thurlow shares how a life-threatening medical crisis transformed her understanding of menopause, gut health, and longevity. She explains why the microbiome changes during perimenopause, why so many women experience weight-loss resistance, the role of stress and immunity, and how hormone replacement therapy, strength training, protein, and fiber can help women age with resilience.In this episode:Cynthia's near-death health crisisThe gut-hormone connectionImmune system agingWeight loss resistance explainedThe microbiome and GLP-1The gut-bone axisWhy stress changes everythingPractical strategies for women in midlifeWhat if menopause isn't just about hormones?In this conversation, nurse practitioner and author Cynthia Thurlow explains why your gut microbiome may be one of the biggest missing pieces in women's health. We discuss weight loss resistance, immune function, GLP-1 medications, bone health, stress, and the surprising science connecting the microbiome to longevity.Whether you're in perimenopause, menopause, or helping someone who is, this episode offers practical and evidence-based insights.----connect with Cynthia here https://www.onethingpod.com/guests/cynthia-thurlow/or https://www.cynthiathurlow.com/

Whittling your diet down to five "safe" foods isn't healing your gut — it's masking a deeper imbalance that declining estrogen may be driving. Nutrition expert Cynthia Thurlow joins Angela Foster to unpack why so many women suddenly can't tolerate foods they once ate freely, and what's really happening behind the bloating, palpitations and brain fog. The conversation explores the link between estrogen loss and a leaky small intestine, the histamine-hormone "perfect storm" that can trigger hives and cramping, and why bloating during perimenopause is so often multifactorial. Cynthia also explains when bloating becomes a red flag worth investigating. You'll learn how to identify your personal food triggers without cutting entire food groups, why eating in a parasympathetic state matters, and which gut supports — from fibre and hydration to TUDCA — can help as progesterone and estrogen decline. If you've ever felt like your body suddenly turned against your favourite foods, this episode will help you understand why. KEY TAKEAWAYS Stop eliminating food groups as your default fix. Whittling your diet down to a handful of "safe" foods signals an underlying gut imbalance that needs support — not an ever-expanding exclusion list. Recognise food sensitivities as a likely leaky gut symptom. As estrogen declines it acts like failing "mortar" in the small intestinal lining, letting food particles leak into the bloodstream and provoke an immune response. Watch the histamine-estrogen "perfect storm." During high-estrogen days, loading up on high-histamine foods (leftovers, kombucha, fermented items) can trigger hives, congestion, cramping and diarrhoea — so keep histamine foods low or infrequent during those windows. Eat in a parasympathetic state. Sit at a table, remove distractions, and take four to five deep breaths before meals rather than eating standing, in the car, or on the move. Always get persistent bloating evaluated. Bloating from morning to night is different from bloating that appears after meals, and persistent symptoms should be checked because, in rare cases, they can signal something serious like ovarian cancer. QUOTES "The goal is to never get to a point where you're excluding entire classes of foods." "If we look at the small intestinal lining as like a brick and mortar system, the mortar is the estrogen." "I literally was talking to a podcast host and I broke out in hives head to toe because I was high estrogen, high histamine stress. And it was like the perfect storm." "It's not really that you need to cut out all these food groups. We just have a nuanced conversation. Don't go overboard with any one food." "I've just seen too many people blow off symptoms for a year or two that end up being bigger issues than they would have been had they been addressed up front." VALUABLE RESOURCES • Take the BioSyncing Quiz to help you understand what's actually happening in your body — and how to fix it.

What happens to your gut when estrogen declines? In this episode, Jeff sits down with Cynthia Thurlow, nurse practitioner and author of The Menopause Gut, to explore the overlooked connection between hormones and digestive health. How declining estradiol impacts the microbiome and increases inflammation What is the estrobolome and estrogen processing in the gut Why 80% of autoimmune conditions affect women Sleep, stress, and their cascading effects on gut health Practical protocols for nutrition, movement, and hormone optimization This episode is for women navigating perimenopause and menopause, anyone curious about the gut-hormone connection, and those seeking science-backed strategies for midlife health. Stripes: Visit stripesbeauty.com and use the code COMMUNE20 for 20% off our entire product line. Stemregen: Get 20% off your first order at stemregen.co/commune with the code COMMUNEPOD Vivobarefoot: Try Vivobarefoot risk-free with a 100-day return guarantee, and get 25% off your order at vivobarefoot.com/commune. LMNT: Get a free 8-count Sample Pack of LMNT's most popular drink mix flavors with any purchase at drinklmnt.com/commune.

You have been told that weight gain, crippling anxiety, and hot flashes are just a "normal" part of getting older. But what if your menopausal symptoms are actually a warning sign that your gut and liver are failing to detoxify your body? And what if the unresolved trauma from your childhood is physically aging your ovaries right now? In this episode, nurse practitioner and bestselling author Cynthia Thurlow exposes the clinical realities of perimenopause and menopause. We break down the "Estrobolome"—the hidden collection of gut bacteria responsible for removing estrogen from your body—and explain why common constipation is causing toxic hormones to recirculate and drive estrogen dominance. Cynthia also reveals why millions of women are prescribed synthetic thyroid medications (like Synthroid) that their bodies literally cannot use, and outlines the exact nutritional and supplemental protocols (including Creatine, Magnesium, and Myo-inositol) required to truly repair your endocrine system. Uncover what's really going on in your body with advanced biomarker testing for hormones, thyroid, and metabolism— plus a 1-hour consultation with a Senior Health Advisor! → http://mybloodwork.com Thank you to our sponsors! Sunlighten Sauna: https://get.sunlighten.com/axepodcast Manukora Manuka Honey: https://manukora.com/axe Caraway Home: carawayhome.com/drjoshaxe (Use code DRJOSHAXE) for an exclusive discount Watch The Dr. Josh Axe Show every Monday & Thursday on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@drjoshaxe?sub_confirmation=1

What if the brain fog, the broken sleep, the mood swings, the weight that won't budge, and the libido that has gone missing are not a collection of separate problems? What if they are one connected story and the missing piece of that story is your gut?In this episode of Pleasure in the Pause, Gabriela sits down with Cynthia Thurlow, nurse practitioner, bestselling author, and host of the Everyday Wellness podcast, to explore her groundbreaking new book The Menopause Gut: Balance Your Microbiome to Reclaim Your Health in Midlife and Beyond. Cynthia has spent a decade working exclusively with midlife women, and what she keeps seeing is this: women doing all the right things and still not feeling like themselves. Her book offers a fascinating new lens through which to understand why, and what to do about it.Cynthia Thurlow is a nurse practitioner, two-time TEDx speaker, international speaker, and CEO and founder of the Everyday Wellness Project. With over 25 years of experience in health and wellness, she is a globally recognized expert in perimenopause, menopause, intermittent fasting, and women's metabolic health. Her latest book The Menopause Gut: Balance Your Microbiome to Reclaim Your Health in Midlife and Beyond is available everywhere books are sold.In this episode, we discuss: What the gut microbiome actually is and why it sits at the center of midlife health The estrobolome — the part of your gut that processes and eliminates estrogen — and why it matters on HRT How the gut and brain are connected through the vagus nerve and what that means for mood, anxiety, and desire Why 90% of serotonin is made in the gut and what that means for midlife mood swings How trauma history contributes to weight loss resistance and early menopause Practical starting points: protein, fiber, sleep rituals, strength training, and the power of saying no Why supporting your gut ripples out into energy, vitality, mood, and pleasureMy hope is that this episode helps you see your symptoms as one connected story — and gives you a clear, practical place to begin.Cynthia says it simply: major in the majors. Before the supplements and the protocols and the testing, it is the basics — how you eat, how you sleep, how you manage stress, and how honestly you honor your own limits — that move the needle most. Your gut is not a separate system. It is the ecosystem everything else depends on.If this episode resonated, subscribe to Pleasure in the Pause and share it with a woman in your life who has been doing all the right things and still not feeling like herself. And grab Cynthia's book — it is one of the most practical and comprehensive guides to midlife health I have come across.If you're seeking to reclaim your pleasure and vitality, join Gabriella at⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.pleasureinthepause.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for this enlightening journey into the heart of female pleasure and empowerment.CONNECT WITH CYNTHIA THURLOW:WebsiteInstagramPodcastSubstackCONNECT WITH GABRIELLA ESPINOSA:InstagramLinkedInWork with Gabriella! Full episodes on YouTube.The information shared on Pleasure in the Pause is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider before making any decisions about your health or treatment. The views expressed by guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views of the host or Pleasure in the Pause.

“What if your bloating, fatigue, brain fog, anxiety, stubborn weight gain, and hormone symptoms are actually starting in your gut?” In this episode, Dr. Mariza sits down with Dr. Cassie Smith — dual board-certified endocrinologist, founder of Modern Endocrine, and author of Fix Your Gut, Fix Your Hormones — to unpack the powerful connection between gut health, hormone balance, stress, metabolism, inflammation, and reproductive health. Together, they dive into how chronic stress, poor gut health, blood sugar dysregulation, inflammation, and lifestyle overload silently impact everything from cortisol and insulin to estrogen, progesterone, thyroid function, and fertility. Dr. Cassie explains why so many women are told their labs are “normal” while still feeling exhausted, bloated, anxious, inflamed, and disconnected from their bodies — and why gut dysfunction is often the missing piece conventional medicine overlooks. They also explore the growing metabolic and hormonal crisis happening in younger women, the connection between PCOS, insulin resistance, gut dysfunction, and birth control, and why many women are struggling to restore healthy cycles and fertility later in life. This conversation is a powerful reminder that hormones do not work in isolation. Your gut, nervous system, metabolism, sleep, stress resilience, and hormones are all deeply interconnected. If you've been feeling like your body is trying to tell you something but nobody has connected the dots yet, this episode will help you understand where healing truly begins. DR. CASSIE SMITH Dr. Cassie Smith is a dual board-certified endocrinologist and the founder of Modern Endocrine. After becoming frustrated with the limitations of conventional medicine, she built a practice focused on uncovering the root causes behind hormone dysfunction, metabolic issues, fertility struggles, and gut-related symptoms. She is also the author of the book Fix Your Gut, Fix Your Hormones. IN THIS EPISODE Why chronic stress has such a powerful impact on gut health and hormones How gut dysfunction contributes to fatigue, brain fog, bloating, anxiety, and weight resistance The connection between estrogen decline, microbiome diversity, and inflammation Why insulin resistance and metabolic dysfunction are rising in younger women The hidden relationship between PCOS, gut health, cortisol, and fertility Why birth control is often used as a Band-Aid instead of addressing root causes The foundational lifestyle habits that support gut and hormone healing Why slowing down, resting, and reducing nervous system overload matters for recovery QUOTES “Your hormones are doing the best they can in the environment you give them.” “It doesn't matter how many supplements or hormones we throw at you if the foundations aren't in place.” “Your gut is where all healing begins.” “Your body cannot heal in survival mode.” RESOURCES MENTIONED Get your “Fix Your Gut, Fix Your Hormones” Book by Dr. Cassie Smith https://guthormonefix.com/ ⁠Order my newest book: The Perimenopause Revolution https://peri-revolution.com/ Modern Endocrine Website Modern Endocrine Instagram Modern Endocrine Facebook Modern Endocrine Tiktok Modern Endocrine Youtube Hormones, Metabolism and You PodcastThe Menopause Gut Book by Cynthia Thurlow RELATED EPISODES  741: Estrogen, Gut Health, Mitochondria, and Cardiovascular Health: What Changes In Perimenopause with Dr. Siobhan Mitchel 743: Why Your Heart Risk Changes in Menopause (And What You Can Do About It) with Dr. Jayne Morgan 738: The Hidden Link Between Inflammation, Hormones & Fertility with Dr. Natalie Crawford  740: Why You're Bloated, Gaining Weight & Feeling Off in Menopause (It Starts in Your Gut) with Cynthia Thurlow

Cellular Health, Travel Fatigue, and Why Your Body Feels Off After a Trip Fatigue after travel isn't just about being tired — it can affect your gut health, hormone balance, metabolism, brain fog, and energy. Have you ever come home from a trip feeling bloated, constipated, foggy, run down, or completely exhausted? In this episode, I'm talking with Dr. Monisha Bhanote about what really happens inside the body when we travel — and why symptoms like low energy, digestive issues, stress, bloating, and sluggish recovery are not random. Dr. Bhanote brings a unique perspective to cellular health because she has spent years studying cells, tissues, and disease patterns under the microscope. We talk about how travel can impact digestion, immunity, focus, mitochondrial energy, and recovery — and why your gut can even experience its own version of jet lag. If you struggle with fatigue, brain fog, IBS, bloating, constipation, weight loss resistance, perimenopause symptoms, or feeling "off" after travel, this episode will help you understand what your body may be trying to tell you. Key Points • Why travel can disrupt your gut microbiome and trigger bloating, constipation, and digestive issues. • How airplane travel may affect brain fog, focus, and energy. • Why cortisol, dehydration, caffeine, alcohol, and poor sleep can drain your metabolism. • What cellular health has to do with feeling better and recovering faster. Listen In This conversation will help you see travel fatigue in a whole new way. Inside the episode, we connect the dots between gut health, stress, inflammation, hormones, detoxification, and cellular energy — so you can better understand why your body feels different when your routine changes. Where to find Dr. Monisha Bhanote: Website: https://www.drbhanote.com/IG: https://www.instagram.com/drbhanote/                                                                                                                                                  FB: https://www.facebook.com/drbhanote/ https://travelawellness.com/ Stop wasting time (and money) on products that don't work. My Trusted Brands Guide is the exact list I share with my private clients — the skincare, supplements, food, and wellness tools that have been tested and proven to deliver results. No fluff. No guesswork. Just the brands you can finally feel good about using. ✨ Plus, I scored exclusive discounts from some of these companies just for my community.

Today, I am excited to welcome you to the eagerly awaited third installment of Ask Me Anything!  In this episode, I shine a spotlight on a universal challenge that affects the lives of countless women over 35 as I delve into the heart of the problems of weight-loss resistance, plateaus, and the notorious belly fat that seems to cling for dear life.  The flood of questions that keep pouring in speaks volumes and is a testament to the exasperation we all feel! Join me on a journey to navigate that landscape, unravel the mysteries, confront misconceptions, and uncover strategies to overcome, decode, and dismantle the common issue of shedding those unwanted, stubborn pounds! I urge all of you, particularly those older than 35, to know you are not alone in your struggle! Stay tuned for the treasure trove of insights that awaits! IN THIS EPISODE YOU WILL LEARN: Why should you know what your fasting insulin is?  The importance of stress management Helpful supplements for those who have had their gallbladders removed How to deal with cravings and weight gain during the week before your period The first thing to work on if you are struggling with plateaus or weight loss resistance The importance of mitigating stress Managing your macronutrients The loss of muscle as we get older Physical activity and weight loss How important is body set weight?  How trauma impacts weight loss resistance Connect with Cynthia Thurlow Follow on X, Instagram & LinkedIn Check out Cynthia's website. Submit your questions to support@cynthiathurlow.com  Join other like-minded women in a supportive, nurturing community: The Midlife Pause/Cynthia Thurlow.  Purchase Cynthia's book, The Menopause Gut. Cynthia's Intermittent Fasting Transformation Book The Midlife Pause Supplement Line

Cynthia Thurlow is a nurse practitioner, CEO and founder of the Everyday Wellness Project, and international speaker, with over 10 million views for her second TEDx talk (Intermittent Fasting: Transformational Technique). With over 20 years experience in health and wellness, Cynthia is a globally recognized expert in intermittent fasting and nutritional health, and has been featured on ABC, FOX5, KTLA, CW, Medium, Entrepreneur, and The Megyn Kelly Show. She was listed in Yahoo Finance as one of the, “21 Founders Changing the Way We do Business.” Cynthia hosts the Everyday Wellness podcast, considered one of "21 Podcasts To Expand Your Mind in 2021” by Business Insider. Her mission is to educate women on the benefits of intermittent fasting and overall holistic health and wellness, so they feel empowered to live their most optimal lives. https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/777129/the-menopause-gut-by-cynthia-thurlow-np/https://www.cynthiathurlow.com/aboutRejuve is a line of pelvic health and whole body health supporting supplements that are helping women have a daily poogasm, eliminate leaks and prolapse symptoms, and keep their vulvovaginal tissues supple and resilient. Get your Rejeuve Supplements https://rejeuve.com/ and use code Podcast to save 10% off your first order.Thank you so much for listening! I use fitness and movement to help women prevent and overcome pelvic floor challenges like incontinence and organ prolapse. There is help for women in all life stages! Every Woman Needs A Vagina Coach! Please make sure to LEAVE A REVIEW and SUBSCRIBE to the show for the best fitness and wellness advice south of your belly button. *******************I recommend checking out my comprehensive pelvic health education and fitness programs on my Buff Muff AppYou can also join my next 28 Day Buff Muff Challenge  https://www.vaginacoach.com/buffmuffIf you are feeling social you can connect with me… On Facebook https://www.facebook.com/VagCoachOn Instagram https://www.instagram.com/vaginacoach/On Twitter https://twitter.com/VaginaCoachOn The Web www.vaginacoach.comGet your Feel Amazing Vaginal Moisturizer Here 

Send us Fan MailGut health changes everything in midlife. In this episode, Cynthia Thurlow and I discuss the gut-hormone connection in perimenopause and menopause, including estrogen, leaky gut, inflammation, the microbiome, stress, fiber, bone health, and why working upstream of symptoms can completely change how women experience midlife. A must-listen conversation for women interested in hormones, gut health, and aging well.You can find Cynthia and her new book The Menopause Gut hereSupport the show_____________________________________________________________

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I am so excited to bring you Part 2 of my conversation with Cynthia Thurlow — and we recorded this only 48 hours after Part 1 dropped because the feedback and questions from you were just pouring in. That told me everything I needed to know: this topic is hitting home. Cynthia's new book, The Menopause Gut, is out now and available everywhere — and honestly, I think it's going to change the conversation for so many women. We peeled back another layer of the gut this week and went deep on some things that genuinely stopped me in my tracks.   Chapters: 5:57 - The Estrobolome & Your Meds 11:27 - Reclaiming Metabolic Health 36:38 - GLP-1s: The Real Conversation 44:33 - Gut Health & Your Bones 46:14 - Trauma & Ovarian Aging 51:17 - Starting the Conversation Earlier   Let's dive in! Thank you for joining us today. If you could rate, review & subscribe, it would mean the world to me! While you're at it, take a screenshot and tag me @jennpike to share on Instagram – I'll re-share that baby out to the community & once a month I'll be doing a draw from those re-shares and send the winner something special! Click here to listen: Apple Podcasts – CLICK HERESpotify – CLICK HERE Connect with Guest - Instagram | @cynthia_thurlow_ Facebook | @CHTWellness Twitter/X | @_CynthiaThurlow Youtube | @cynthiathurlow Podcast | Follow Here Substack | Subscribe Here   This episode is sponsored by: St. Francis | Go to stfrancisherbfarm.com and save 15% off your all your orders with code JENNPIKE15  Eversio Wellness | Go to eversiowellness.com/discount/jennpike15 and save 15% off every order with code JENNPIKE15 /// not available for "subscribe & save" option Free Resources: Free Perimenopause Support Guide | jennpike.com/perimenopausesupport Free Blood Work Guide | jennpike.com/bloodworkguide The Simplicity Sessions Podcast | jennpike.com/podcast Get 20% on thewalkingpad.com using code "JENNPIKE20" Metabolic Guide | jennpike.com/metabolic-guide Get discounts at happybumco.com using code "JENNPIKE" *code doesn't apply with Black Friday sale* Programs: Ignite: Your 8-Week Body Transformation Program | https://jennpike.com/ignite The Peri & Menopause Project  - Join the Waitlist | jennpike.com/theperimenopauseproject Synced Virtual Fitness Studio | jennpike.com/synced Services: Work With Jenn | https://jennpike.com/work-with-jenn/ Functional Testing | jennpike.com/testing-packages Business Mentorship | The Audacious Woman Mentorship:  jennpike.com/theaudaciouswoman Connect with Chris: Instagram | @chrisborsellino Finance Discovery Session | Book Here Connect with Jenn: Instagram | @jennpike Facebook | @thesimplicityproject YouTube | Simplicity TV Website | The Simplicity Project Inc. Have a question? Send it over to hello@jennpike.com and I'll do my best to share helpful insights, thoughts and advice.

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Could unresolved childhood stress be affecting your hormones today? I'm joined by nurse practitioner and author Cynthia Thurlow to dive deep into why high-performing women often struggle during perimenopause despite "doing everything right". We explore the fascinating connection between childhood trauma, the nervous system, and the "estrobolome," your gut's crucial estrogen-processing center. Join us as we discuss how to shed the mask of people-pleasing and implement simple lifestyle changes to reclaim your health and vitality in midlife. 00:00 Why high-performing women still struggle with weight, energy, and digestion. 00:16 How childhood trauma and chronic stress resurface during perimenopause. 01:28 What chronic cortisol does to muscle, immunity, and gut health. 03:12 How “little t” trauma shapes long-term health and behavior patterns. 05:07 The fastest ways to restore balance through sleep and stress management. 06:01 Why eating less frequently can support metabolic and gut health. 07:57 How the estrobolome controls estrogen processing in the body. 11:04 Why advocating for your own health is essential in midlife. Watch the full episode here: https://youtu.be/eRfVXm70gwU Full show notes (including all links mentioned): https://jjvirgin.com/menopausegut Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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In this episode, meet nurse practitioner and Everyday Wellness podcast host Cynthia Thurlow, cofounder of lifestyle clothing brand Faherty, Kerry Docherty, and professor and double board-certified Gynecologic Oncologist and OB/GYN, Dr. Kemi Doll. Hear Cynthia Thurlow on what she's learned about the transition from perimenopause to menopause, Kerry Docherty on the experience of narrating her memoir, and Dr. Kemi Doll on her powerful research, and what she's most excited for listeners to hear. The Menopause Gut by Cynthia Thurlow, NP: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/777129/the-menopause-gut-by-cynthia-thurlow-np/audio Selfish by Kerry Docherty: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/775631/selfish-by-kerry-docherty/audio A Terrible Strength by Dr. Kemi Doll, MD, MSCR: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/775526/a-terrible-strength-by-kemi-doll-md-mscr/audio

Inflammation, Fatigue, and Hormone Imbalance: Why You Still Feel Exhausted (Even When You're Doing Everything Right) Fatigue, inflammation, and hormone imbalance—have you ever felt like you're doing everything right, but your body still isn't responding? You're eating clean, prioritizing gut health, trying to balance your hormones… yet the brain fog, low energy, weight loss resistance, and bloating are still there. If you've ever thought, "Is this just aging… or is something deeper going on?"—this episode is going to shift how you see your symptoms. Because what if the real issue isn't a lack of effort… but hidden inflammation driving everything from digestive issues and IBS to metabolism slowdowns, hormone imbalance, and chronic exhaustion? Inside this conversation, we unpack how inflammation connects to perimenopause, gut health, and energy—and why so many women feel stuck despite doing all the "right" things What You'll Discover in This Episode: • The hidden form of inflammation that could be driving your fatigue, brain fog, and hormone imbalance • Why your gut health and microbiome may be the missing link behind weight loss resistance and bloating • A subtle daily habit that helps regulate cortisol, reduce stress, and improve energy (that most women overlook) • The surprising reason your metabolism slows during perimenopause—and what inflammation has to do with it Inflammation is at the root of so many symptoms women experience—fatigue, hormone imbalance, digestive issues, brain fog, and weight loss resistance—but most approaches miss the bigger picture. When you understand how inflammation impacts your gut health, metabolism, and hormones—especially during perimenopause—you can start connecting the dots in a completely different way. This episode brings together functional medicine, nervous system regulation, and simple daily practices to help you rethink what's really going on in your body. If you've been feeling stuck, exhausted, or frustrated with your progress, this conversation will help you see why—and open the door to a new way forward. Hit play to hear the full conversation. Where to find Dr. Shivani Gupta: Website: www.shivanigupta.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheShivaniGupta/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dr.shivanigupta/ Stop wasting time (and money) on products that don't work. My Trusted Brands Guide is the exact list I share with my private clients — the skincare, supplements, food, and wellness tools that have been tested and proven to deliver results. No fluff. No guesswork. Just the brands you can finally feel good about using. ✨ Plus, I scored exclusive discounts from some of these companies just for my community.

The Gut-Brain-Hormone Connection in Midlife with Cynthia Thurlow - Explore how hormonal shifts, the microbiome, and lifestyle factors intertwine to impact women's health during midlife. Cynthia Thurlow shares insights on gut health, hormone therapy, and debunks common misconceptions. This episode offers practical advice for optimizing wellness through personalized approaches. Key Topics: The emerging importance of the gut microbiome in menopausal health How hormones like estrogen influence colon cancer risk and overall health The role of lifestyle factors (diet, stress, antibiotics) on microbiome integrity Advances in hormone therapy, including the potential for microbiome restoration The impact of medications like GLP-1 agents on inflammation and weight Strategies for improving digestion, stool health, and addressing SIBO The myth of genetics being destiny—hormones as a modifiable factor Predatory practices in vaginal health treatments and how to ensure informed choices The significance of fiber: how to increase it safely and effectively Practical daily habits to support gut motility and overall wellness Menopause Gut Book IG for Cynthia Thurlow, NP Listen to my Tedx Talk: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Why we need adult sex ed⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Take my ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Adult Sex Ed Master Class:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠My Website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Interested in my sexual health and hormone clinic? ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Waitlist is open⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ To learn more about Via vaginal moisturizer from Solv Wellness, visit ⁠⁠⁠via4her.com⁠⁠⁠ and get 20% off your first order. For an additional $5 off, use coupon code DRKELLY5. Clinicians can request patient materials or samples at ⁠⁠⁠hcp.solvwellness.com⁠⁠⁠. Thanks to our sponsor ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Midi Women's Health⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Designed by midlife experts, delivered by experienced clinicians, covered by insurance.Midi is the first virtual care clinic made exclusively for women 40+. Evidence-based treatments. Personalized midlife care.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.joinmidi.com⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Why does belly fat suddenly increase in perimenopause, even when you're eating well and exercising? In this episode, Angela Foster speaks with Cynthia Thurlow about the real drivers behind midlife body composition changes, from hormones and muscle loss to stress, inflammation, and gut health. They explore why cortisol and nervous system dysregulation play such a major role in abdominal fat storage, how the gut microbiome impacts oestrogen metabolism, and the simple strategies women can use to support metabolic health and feel more in control of their bodies again. KEY TAKEAWAYS Muscle loss reduces insulin sensitivity in midlife Chronic stress increases abdominal fat storage The gut microbiome influences oestrogen metabolism Fibre supports hormone detoxification and inflammation reduction Declining oestrogen impacts digestion and bile production Gut health plays a major role in body composition Midlife body composition changes are reversible with the right strategy VALUABLE RESOURCES • Take the BioSyncing Quiz to help you understand what's actually happening in your body — and how to fix it.

Belly fat in perimenopause isn't just about eating less and moving more — and if that's still the advice you're getting, this conversation is long overdue. Nurse practitioner and metabolic health expert Cynthia Thurlow breaks down the real drivers behind midlife body composition changes: muscle loss, declining insulin sensitivity, shifting hormones, a changing gut microbiome, and the one factor almost everyone overlooks — chronic stress and unresolved trauma. There's a fascinating deep dive into the estrobolome and how the gut processes and clears oestrogen, why fibre has become the most polarising word in nutrition, and what bitter greens have to do with your gallbladder. Practical, evidence-led and genuinely eye-opening. The good news? These changes are not permanent. There's a lot that can be done — and it starts with understanding what's actually going on. Informed, honest and packed with actionable insight for women navigating midlife health. 5 KEY TAKEAWAYS Belly fat in perimenopause has multiple root causes — muscle loss, declining oestrogen and testosterone, reduced insulin sensitivity, and a less diverse gut microbiome all play a role. Addressing just one without the others will only get you so far. The abdomen has 40 times more cortisol receptors than other areas of the body. Chronic stress — including unresolved childhood trauma — directly contributes to visceral fat accumulation and metabolic disease risk. The estrobolome — the part of the gut microbiome responsible for processing oestrogen — depends heavily on fibre intake. Without sufficient fibre, oestrogen gets recirculated rather than excreted, amplifying hormonal imbalance. Short-chain fatty acids, produced when gut bacteria ferment dietary fibre, are critical signalling molecules that reduce inflammation, protect the gut lining, and support the body's own natural GLP-1 production. Body composition changes in perimenopause are not inevitable or permanent. Practical steps — deep breathing before meals, nutrient-dense whole foods, adequate hydration, and addressing stress — can meaningfully shift outcomes. QUOTES "We have 40 times more cortisol receptors in our abdomen — so when someone says they went through a stressful period and noticed body composition changes, I understand physiologically exactly why that happens." "The gut is this main communicator with the rest of the body — when I think about how many things about body composition are impacted by gut health, it is literally everything." "If your body does not feel safe, that will absolutely contribute. Unresolved stress and trauma are not separate from metabolic health." "Fiber has become the new F word because it is very polarising — but if you look at the research, it is missing from most people's diets." "These do not have to be permanent issues. There are definitely things we can do to buffer up against the changes that are happening." VALUABLE RESOURCES • Take the BioSyncing Quiz to help you understand what's actually happening in your body — and how to fix it.

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In this episode, Travis sits down with Cynthia Thurlow, a nurse practitioner, TEDx speaker, and expert in women's metabolic health. Cynthia shares her unconventional journey from aspiring lawyer to clinician to thriving entrepreneur, explaining how she walked away from a successful medical career to build a mission-driven business. With deep insights into mindset, personal growth, and monetization, Cynthia breaks down what it really takes to create impact—and income—by aligning your work with your values. On this episode we talk about: Cynthia's pivot from traditional medicine to entrepreneurship Why lifestyle-based health approaches changed her career path The importance of mindset and investing in personal growth How to transition careers despite fear and sunk cost bias Building multiple income streams through podcasting, programs, and speaking Top 3 Takeaways Aligning your work with your values is essential—long-term success comes from doing work you truly believe in. Investing in yourself only works if you take action—implementation is everything. Mindset and environment are critical; surrounding yourself with the right people can accelerate growth exponentially. Notable Quotes "I knew I would be successful—I just had to figure out the next step." "You can read 100 books, but if you don't take action, it's a waste of your time." "Entrepreneurship is high highs and low lows—you have to be able to weather both." Connect with Cynthia Thurlow: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cynthia-thurlow Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cynthia_thurlow_ Other: https://www.cynthiathurlow.com  Travis Makes Money is made possible by High Level – the All-In-One Sales & Marketing Platform built for agencies, by an agency.  Capture leads, nurture them, and close more deals—all from one powerful platform.  Get an extended free trial at gohighlevel.com/travis Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

If you're dealing with fatigue, weight loss resistance, brain fog, low energy, gut health issues, or feeling "off" hormonally, this episode is for you. Everywhere you turn, someone is selling you a new anti-aging hack—IV drips at the gym, $50,000 longevity clinics, genetic panels, peptides, stacks of supplements. But are any of these actually proven in humans to extend your health span… or are they just very expensive hope? In this episode, I get honest about what the research really says about longevity, metabolism, hormone balance, and digestive health—and where the hype is way ahead of the science. Key Points from This Episode Why the modern longevity industry worries me Health span vs. lifespan: the question we should be asking The unsexy things that genuinely move the needle Why it's never too late to start This episode gives you the "what" and the "why" behind real, evidence-based longevity so you can stop chasing every new "anti-aging" protocol and start focusing on the habits that actually support your hormones, energy, metabolism, and digestive health long term. Hit play and let's cut through the noise together. Stop wasting time (and money) on products that don't work. My Trusted Brands Guide is the exact list I share with my private clients — the skincare, supplements, food, and wellness tools that have been tested and proven to deliver results. No fluff. No guesswork. Just the brands you can finally feel good about using. ✨ Plus, I scored exclusive discounts from some of these companies just for my community.

In this episode, I sit down with Cynthia Thurlow, nurse practitioner, TEDx speaker, and author of The Menopause Gut, to unpack what is really happening inside the body during this transition. We get into why so many women suddenly feel bloated, constipated, reactive to foods, inflamed, and resistant to weight loss, even when they are eating well and doing all the "right" things. Cynthia breaks down the gut-hormone connection in a way that is smart, practical, and incredibly eye-opening. We also go deeper into leaky gut, digestive enzymes, bile, hydrochloric acid, short-chain fatty acids, fiber, stress, trauma, mitochondria, and why simply putting a woman on HRT is sometimes not enough. This is one of those conversations that makes you realize menopause is not just about your ovaries. It is a full-body shift, and the gut is right in the middle of it. In this episode, we cover: Why the gut is one of the most overlooked systems affected by menopause How declining estrogen and progesterone impact digestion and motility Why women often experience more bloating, constipation, and food sensitivities in midlife The connection between gut health, inflammation, immune changes, and weight loss resistance Why digestive enzymes, stomach acid, and bile production can all become compromised What leaky gut is and why it may become more common during perimenopause and menopause How stress, trauma, and the nervous system can worsen gut and hormone symptoms Why fiber still matters, even if your gut is struggling The role of mitochondria, sleep, movement, and lifestyle foundations in gut recovery Why HRT can help, but often is not the whole story   Visit Cynthia's website here.     Sponsors Try Mito Q Hormone and metabolic control mitoq.com/karenmartel Code: MARTEL10 Get 30% off BATCH Gummies. Go to hellobatch.com/HORMONE and use code HORMONE at checkout. Book Your FREE discovery call and find out how we can help you.     Are you in perimenopause or postmenopause and struggling with symptoms—but not getting the support you deserve? At Midlife Solutions, we specialize in hormone optimization for women in midlife. Our all-female clinical team offers telehealth care across all 50 U.S. states, with the ability to prescribe bioidentical estrogen, progesterone, testosterone, and thyroid medication.   Book your FREE Hormone Discovery Call Find out what's really driving your symptoms and what your next best steps are.   Visit the website: https://karenmartel.com   Shop the Midlife Solutions Store Over-the-counter bioidentical hormone creams and oils — no prescription needed. Including: • Progesterone • Estrogen Face Cream • Vaginal Moisturizer and more!   Take the Hormone Quiz Discover hidden hormone imbalances that could be driving your symptoms. Get personalized results (and yes, they may surprise you).   Women's Peptide Weight Loss Program Clinically guided, hormone-aware weight loss for midlife women.   Midlife RESET HRT Program A complete, supportive approach to hormone replacement therapy in midlife.   Your host: Karen Martel Certified Hormone Specialist, Transformational Nutrition Coach, & Weight Loss Expert   Karen's Facebook Karen's Instagram

This episode is brought to you by Fatty15, Audible, and Strong Coffee Company. Most women are told their fatigue, weight gain, brain fog, and poor sleep in midlife are just "normal aging"—but this episode exposes the real root cause: a breakdown in the gut-hormone connection driven by declining estrogen, chronic stress, and a disrupted microbiome. Cynthia Thurlow reveals how these hidden internal shifts create inflammation, metabolic dysfunction, and hormonal chaos—and why traditional approaches often fail to fix it. More importantly, she explains how to reverse the trajectory by addressing the true drivers: gut health, sleep quality, and stress resilience. If you've been doing "all the right things" and still feel off, this conversation reframes the problem—and gives you a path forward rooted in biology, not guesswork. IN THIS EPISODE YOU WILL LEARN: How hormonal shifts in perimenopause and menopause directly alter the gut microbiome, increasing inflammation and impacting metabolism Why sleep is the #1 foundational habit for improving hormones, gut health, and overall energy in midlife The surprising role of chronic stress, trauma, and even toxic relationships in damaging gut health and accelerating aging How simple nutrition shifts—like increasing fiber and supporting detox pathways—can rapidly improve your microbiome Why "surrendering" your old health strategies is essential to thriving in this new phase of life Follow Cynthia @cynthia_thurlow_ Follow Chase @chase_chewning ----- 00:00 – Intro & Why the Microbiome Matters 00:02 – The "Virtual Organ" Explained (40 Trillion Microbes) 00:05 – Why Gut Health Is Overlooked in Women's Health 00:06 – Hormones, Neurotransmitters & Whole-Body Impact 00:12 – Why the Microbiome Is Key to Longevity 00:13 – Gut Changes During Perimenopause & Menopause 00:16 – Immune System Aging, Inflammation & Autoimmunity 00:18 – Leaky Gut, Nutrient Absorption & Food Sensitivities 00:20 – Real-Life Symptoms: Fatigue, Brain Fog & Bloating 00:21 – The Hidden Impact of Stress & Trauma on the Gut 00:26 – The Estrobolome: Estrogen & Gut Detox Explained 00:30 – Common Symptoms of Hormonal Imbalance 00:33 – Where Women Should Start (The Roadmap) 00:40 – Why Sleep Is the First Thing to Fix 00:44 – The Power of Mindset & "Surrender" 00:49 – Can You Repair Your Microbiome? 00:50 – Fiber: The Most Underrated Health Tool 00:53 – Best Foods for Gut Health 00:54 – Sleep, Hormones & the Microbiome Connection 01:00 – Digestive Rest vs Fasting 01:03 – The #1 Sleep Habit That Improves Everything 01:05 – Alcohol, Food Timing & Sleep Disruption 01:06 – Stress, Hormones & Nervous System Overload 01:08 – Rethinking Exercise in Midlife 01:10 – Why Walking Is So Powerful 01:12 – Most Surprising Research: Trauma & Aging 01:16 – Generational Health & Epigenetics 01:17 – What "Ever Forward" Means ----- Episode resources: Save 15% on coffee with code CHASE at https://www.StrongCoffeeCompany.com/chase  Save an extra 15% on C15:0 essential fatty acid with code EVERFORWARD at https://www.Fatty15.com/everforward Get a FREE trial month of my favorite audio book platform at https://www.AudibleTrial.com/everforward Watch and subscribe on YouTube Get her new book The Menopause Gut 

Why hunger spirals, why fat loss feels harder—especially in midlife—and the simple, science-backed ways to regain control using protein, satiety, and smarter nutrition, with Cynthia Thurlow, a functional medicine nurse practitioner and author of The Menopause Gut.This episode is proudly sponsored by:Wildgrain slow-fermented sourdough and fresh pastries go from freezer to bakery-level perfection in under 25 minutes. Yum! Get $30 off your first box and free croissants in every box at Wildgrain.com/MAX or use code MAX at checkout.Momentous holds its products to rigorous quality and purity standards set by the NFL and NBA. I use their creatine and protein regularly. Head to livemomentous.com/genius or use code GENIUS for 35% off your first subscription.

If you're a woman in your 30s, 40s, or 50s feeling like your body is betraying you, this episode reveals the hormonal, gut, and environmental triggers behind perimenopause that most doctors never address, and exactly what you can do about it. -Watch this episode on YouTube for the full video experience: https://www.youtube.com/@DaveAspreyBPR Host Dave Asprey sits down with Cynthia Thurlow, a nurse practitioner, CEO and founder of the Everyday Wellness Project, and a globally recognized expert in intermittent fasting and women's hormonal health. Her TEDx talk on intermittent fasting has surpassed 10 million views, and she brings over 20 years of functional medicine clinical experience to one of the most underserved conversations in longevity and human performance. Together, they tear apart the outdated medical narrative around perimenopause and menopause, exposing how a lack of knowledge, not biology, is destroying relationships, careers, and quality of life for millions of women. Dave and Cynthia dig into the gut microbiome's role in every symptom women experience in midlife, the mold toxin that is 10,000 times more potent than human estrogen and directly linked to hormonal chaos, and why biohacking your hormones as early as 35 could be the most important longevity move a woman makes. They also cover why statins are wrecking women's metabolism, how trauma accelerates ovarian aging and mitochondrial decline, the surprising connection between histamine reactions and hot flashes, and why GLP-1 micro-dosing alongside hormone replacement therapy is a game-changer for body composition and anti-aging. This episode is essential for listening for anyone serious about biohacking, sleep optimization, functional medicine, longevity, brain optimization, supplements, metabolism, human performance, and smarter not harder approaches to women's health. You'll Learn: Why perimenopause actually begins around age 35 and what to do about it before symptoms hit How a mold-derived xenoestrogen found in conventional beef disrupts hormones at 10,000 times the potency of human estrogen The gut microbiome changes that drive hot flashes, brain fog, weight gain, and mood disorders in perimenopause Why oral micronized progesterone beats topical for sleep optimization and hormonal stability How testosterone drives executive function, motivation, and brain optimization in women The lab tests every woman in perimenopause should run, including fasting insulin, ApoB, ferritin, and a full thyroid panel Why adverse childhood events and unresolved trauma age the ovaries and tank mitochondria How mold toxicity and Lyme disease create a hormonal perfect storm that no amount of supplements will fix The real reason 70 percent of divorces are initiated by women, and what hormones have to do with it Thank you to our sponsors! - Neuronic | Go to www.neuronic.online Code DAVE for $100 off - Superstratum Labs | Get Dave's exact home mold detox kit and save 10% at superstratumlabs.com/products/dave - Joymode | Go to tryjoymode.com/DAVE Or enter DAVE at checkout for 20% off. - Viome | Check it out at viome.com and use code 10DAVE for 10% off. It's time to stop guessing and start knowing your body. Dave Asprey is a four-time New York Times bestselling author, founder of Bulletproof Coffee, and the father of biohacking. With over 1,000 interviews and 1 million monthly listeners, The Human Upgrade brings you the knowledge to take control of your biology, extend your longevity, and optimize every system in your body and mind. Each episode delivers cutting-edge insights inhealth, performance, neuroscience, supplements, nutrition, biohacking, emotional intelligence, and conscious living. New episodes are released every Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, and Sunday (BONUS). Dave asks the questions no one else will and gives you real tools to become stronger, smarter, and more resilient. Keywords: Cynthia Thurlow, The Menopause Gut, perimenopause, menopause, hormones, hormone replacement therapy, HRT, bioidentical hormones, progesterone, estrogen, testosterone, thyroid health, gut microbiome, women's health, functional medicine, biohacking, longevity, anti-aging, human performance, mitochondria, sleep optimization, metabolism, supplements, mold toxicity, zearalenone, xenoestrogen, hot flashes, brain fog, body composition, GLP-1, intermittent fasting, trauma, cortisol, adrenal health, leaky gut, histamine intolerance, mast cell activation, insulin resistance, fasting insulin, ApoB, ferritin, statins, ovarian aging, Dave Asprey, smarter not harder Resources: • Learn More From Cynthia And Get Her New Book The Menopause Gut at: https://www.cynthiathurlow.com/ • Get My 2026 Clean Nicotine Roadmap | Enroll for free at https://daveasprey.com/2026-clean-nicotine-roadmap/ • Dave Asprey's Latest News | Go to https://daveasprey.com/ to join Inside Track today. • Danger Coffee: https://dangercoffee.com/discount/dave15 • My Daily Supplements: SuppGrade Labs (15% Off) • Favorite Blue Light Blocking Glasses: TrueDark (15% Off) • Dave Asprey's BEYOND Conference: https://beyondconference.com • Dave Asprey's New Book – Heavily Meditated: https://daveasprey.com/heavily-meditated • Join My Substack (Live Access To Podcast Recordings): https://substack.daveasprey.com/ • Upgrade Labs: https://upgradelabs.com Timestamps: 00:00 – Intro 04:35 – Root Causes of Perimenopause 07:50 – When Perimenopause Starts 09:47 – Progesterone: When & How 12:16 – Testosterone for Women 14:14 – Thyroid & Energy 18:41 – FDA's HRT Policy Change 20:15 – Hormones & Divorce21:53 – GLP-1s & Body Composition 27:17 – Key Lab Tests 31:13 – AI & Budget Labs 39:44 – Gut Microbiome & Menopause 42:57 – Histamine, Mast Cells & Hot Flashes 47:55 – Toxic Mold & Xenoestrogens 50:31 – Dairy, Raw Milk & Leaky Gut 59:27 – Healing Trauma 1:03:00 – Book Recommendations See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

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In this episode, Dr. Jockers sits down with Cynthia Thurlow to break down how your gut directly influences hormone balance during perimenopause and beyond. You'll learn how the microbiome regulates estrogen and why poor detoxification can amplify symptoms. This conversation connects the dots between gut health, hormones, and how your body changes with age.   You'll discover what's really happening inside the gut when symptoms like bloating, brain fog, and weight resistance show up. Cynthia explains the role of the estrobolome, leaky gut, and inflammation in driving hormone imbalance. She also unpacks why many women feel worse in perimenopause—and what that signals about overall health.   You'll also learn practical strategies to support your gut and hormones without overcomplicating your routine. From protein intake and fiber to stress, sleep, and fasting, this episode highlights what actually moves the needle. Along the way, you'll pick up simple shifts that can create meaningful changes over time.   In This Episode:  00:00 PCOS Not Thyroid 00:27 Gut Hormone Podcast Intro 05:14 Why Menopause Gut 08:16 Estrobolome Estrogen Detox 12:33 Progesterone Drop Symptoms 13:08 PCOS Estrogen Dominance 15:29 Progesterone GABA Sleep 17:41 What Gut Changes Look Like 22:07 Fiber SCFAs GLP1 27:26 Gut Health Strategies 32:58 Ramp Up Fiber Slowly 33:18 Movement for Microbiome 34:55 Recovery Beats Overtraining 35:51 Protein Fat Fiber Balance 37:21 Bioindividual Nutrition 42:22 Plant Variety Polyphenols 43:49 Sleep Strategy Stack 48:10 Wearables and CBTI 50:08 Fasting for Women Nuance 52:52 Growth Hormone Cortisol 56:19 Microbiome Small Changes 57:08 Book Bonuses and Wrap Up 58:00 Final Podcast Outro   Quality sleep is crucial for healing, recovery, and overall health. Paleovalley's Superfood Sleep Protein supports your body's natural sleep process with whole food ingredients like melatonin from tomatoes, magnesium for relaxation, and chamomile for stress relief. Say goodbye to grogginess and hello to restorative rest. For a limited time, save 15% on your purchase at paleovalley.com/jockers with the code JOCKERS. If you want practical, natural strategies to balance your hormones, heal your gut, boost your energy, and slow aging, don't miss The Dr. Josh Axe Show. Dr. Axe blends ancient wisdom with cutting-edge science and brings on world-class experts for unfiltered conversations you won't hear anywhere else. Transform your health from the inside out and subscribe to The Dr. Josh Axe Show, with new episodes every Monday and Thursday. Most skincare products only treat the surface, but OneSkin is built differently. Developed by longevity researchers, their proprietary OS-01 peptide is scientifically proven to target aging at the cellular level by switching off damaged senescent cells—the root cause of visible skin aging. Backed by clinical studies and thousands of 5-star reviews, OneSkin helps you achieve healthier, younger-looking skin without a complicated routine. For a limited time, get 15% off your order at oneskin.co/drjockers using code DRJOCKERS. If you're tired of being told everything is "fine" without real answers, SuperPower Health gives you a deeper look into your health with 100+ biomarkers from a single blood draw. Their platform breaks down insights across hormones, metabolism, heart health, toxins, and more—plus tracks your results over time so you can see real progress. You'll also get access to an on-demand clinician team to help interpret your results. Right now, memberships are just $199, and you can get an extra $20 off when you use code JOCKERS at superpower.com.   Looking for a reset that actually works at the cellular level? L-Nutra's ProLon 5-Day Fasting Mimicking Diet is a science-backed program developed with the USC Longevity Institute to support fat loss, metabolic health, and healthy aging—without fully fasting. This plant-based program includes ready-to-eat meals designed to keep your body in a fasting state while still nourishing it, triggering deep cellular repair and rejuvenation. For a limited time, get 15% off sitewide plus a $40 bonus gift when you subscribe at prolonlife.com/jockers. "Small changes in your gut health, like adding fiber or deep breathing, can make a big impact on your overall well-being."     Subscribe to the podcast on: Apple Podcast Stitcher Spotify PodBean  TuneIn Radio   Resources: Support deeper sleep with PaleoValley's Superfood Sleep Protein and save 15%: https://paleovalley.com/jockers Try OneSkin's longevity-based skincare and get 15% off your order with code DRJOCKERS: https://oneskin.co/drjockers Unlock advanced health insights with SuperPower's 100+ biomarker test and take $20 off using code JOCKERS: https://superpower.com Reset your metabolism with ProLon's 5-Day Fasting Mimicking Diet and enjoy 15% off plus a $40 bonus gift: https://prolonlife.com/jockers     Connect with Cynthia Thurlow: Book: https://a.co/d/0cKm0liM   Connect with Dr. Jockers: Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/drjockers/ Facebook – https:/www.facebook.com/DrDavidJockers YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/user/djockers Website – https://drjockers.com/   If you are interested in being a guest on the show, we would love to hear from you! Please contact us here! - https://drjockers.com/join-us-dr-jockers-functional-nutrition-podcast/

It was once believed that the process of menopause was just something that women had to suffer through, often silently. But today, the conversation is changing. We now know that perimenopause and menopause symptoms can be reduced with science-backed education, hormone replacement therapy, and lifestyle interventions.  Cynthia Thurlow is a nurse practitioner and bestselling author who is passionate about helping women take control of their health from midlife and beyond. Her newest book, The Menopause Gut is a paradigm-shifting guide to how hormones shift in perimenopause and menopause, and how balancing the microbiome can shape your health outcomes as you age.  Today, Cynthia is back on The Model Health Show for an important conversation on how women can prioritize feeling their best through the transition of menopause. You're going to learn about the bidirectional relationship between gut health and hormones, how women can navigate the aging process as smoothly as possible, and the critical role nutrition plays in metabolic health, immune health, and more. I hope you enjoy this interview with the one and only Cynthia Thurlow!  In this episode you'll discover: The meaning behind the book title, The Menopause Gut. (2:37) What the 3 Ps of a woman's life are. (5:31) Why the gut is a powerful regulator for aging. (6:28) Specific things that accelerate aging of the ovaries. (7:38) Two things that women need to think about before entering perimenopause. (8:20) What the estrobolome is and why it matters. (9:21) The link between inflammation, the immune system, and menopause. (16:52) How adverse childhood experiences can lead to autoimmune diseases. (29:31) The truth about counting calories, especially for menopausal women. (37:30) Nutrition principles for perimenopausal and menopausal women. (48:36) The main caveat that midlife women should consider about intermittent fasting. (53:00) Items mentioned in this episode include: WildPastures.com/model - Get 20% off every box plus an additional $15 off!  Organifi.com/Model - Use the coupon code MODEL for 20% off + free shipping! The Menopause Gut by Cynthia Thurlow - Order your copy today! Connect with Cynthia Thurlow Website / Podcast / Instagram / Facebook / YouTube  Be sure you are subscribed to this podcast to automatically receive your episodes:  Apple Podcasts Spotify Soundcloud Pandora YouTube  This episode of The Model Health Show is brought to you by Wild Pastures and Organifi. Get 100% grassfed and finished beef, pasture raised chicken, and other nutrient dense, regenerative meats. Sign up with my link to get 20%

What if the reason belly fat won't budge after 40… has nothing to do with willpower—and everything to do with your gut? In this powerful episode, Ben Azadi sits down with Cynthia Thurlow to unpack the real reason women struggle with weight gain, fatigue, and hormonal chaos in midlife. Drawing from her new book, The Menopause Gut, Cynthia explains why perimenopause and menopause are far more complex than just declining estrogen—and why the gut microbiome may be the missing piece most women (and doctors) overlook. They break down how stress, sleep, muscle loss, ultra-processed foods, and hidden hormonal shifts create the perfect storm for weight loss resistance. You'll also discover why common “healthy habits” like excessive cardio, under-eating protein, or over-fasting can actually make things worse. If you've ever felt like your body stopped responding after 40, this episode will completely change how you approach fat loss, hormones, and long-term health.  

In this episode, I sit down with Cynthia Thurlow to unpack a piece of menopause that almost no one is talking about, the gut. We often hear about hormones during perimenopause and menopause, but what happens when the real issue goes deeper? Cynthia shares her personal story, including a serious gut health crisis that nearly led to unnecessary surgery, and how it reshaped the way she approaches women's health. We break down the microbiome, the gut-ovary connection, and how shifts in estrogen and progesterone impact everything from digestion to immunity. We also get into why foods you used to tolerate suddenly don't work anymore, what “leaky gut” really means, and how inflammation plays a role in midlife changes.

Cynthia Thurlow is a nurse practitioner, host of the Everyday Wellness podcast, author and international speaker, with over 15 million views for her second TEDx talk (Intermittent Fasting: Transformational Technique). With over 25 years experience in health and wellness, Cynthia is a globally recognized expert in perimenopause/menopause and intermittent fasting, and has been featured on ABC, FOX5, KTLA, CW, Medium, Entrepreneur, and The Megyn Kelly Show. Her mission is to help empower women to live their most optimal lives in perimenopause and beyond.Today on the show we discuss: what's really happening in your body during midlife and why you feel like you're losing your edge, how declining hormones, poor sleep and muscle loss are quietly impacting your energy and metabolism, the hidden link between gut health, brain fog and emotional regulation, why stress and unresolved trauma may be the biggest drivers of health issues as you age, how your relationships and home life can either support or sabotage your well-being, and simple ways to improve your nutrition and protein intake without overcomplicating everything and much more. Today on the show we discuss: what's really happening in your body during midlife and why you feel like you're losing your edge, how declining hormones, poor sleep and muscle loss are quietly impacting your energy and metabolism, the hidden link between gut health, brain fog and emotional regulation, why stress and unresolved trauma may be the biggest drivers of health issues as you age, how your relationships and home life can either support or sabotage your well-being, and simple ways to improve your nutrition and protein intake without overcomplicating everything and much more. ⚠ WELLNESS DISCLAIMER ⚠ Please be advised; the topics related to health and mental health in my content are for informational, discussion, and entertainment purposes only. The content is not intended to be a substitute for professional advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your health or mental health professional or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding your current condition. Never disregard professional advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have heard from your favorite creator, on social media, or shared within content you've consumed. If you are in crisis or you think you may have an emergency, call your doctor or 911 immediately. If you do not have a health professional who is able to assist you, use these resources to find help: Emergency Medical Services—911 If the situation is potentially life-threatening, get immediate emergency assistance by calling 911, available 24 hours a day. National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, 1-800-273-TALK (8255) or https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org. SAMHSA addiction and mental health treatment Referral Helpline, 1-877-SAMHSA7 (1-877-726-4727) and https://www.samhsa.gov Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

“Is it really just hormones… or is your gut driving the symptoms?” In this episode, Dr. Mariza sits down with Cynthia Thurlow to unpack the powerful connection between gut health and hormones in midlife. Many women are told their bloating, weight gain, fatigue, and mood shifts are “just hormones.” But Cynthia explains that the gut microbiome plays a central role in how these symptoms show up—and how they can be improved. Together, they break down how gut health influences hormones, inflammation, metabolism, and brain function, while also highlighting the foundational habits that matter most in this season. If you've been feeling off and unsure where to focus, this episode will give you clarity and a smarter path forward. Be sure to tune in! CYNTHIA THURLOW Cynthia Thurlow is a nurse practitioner, intermittent fasting expert, and leading voice in metabolic health for women in midlife. With a background in cardiology, she now focuses on helping women navigate perimenopause and menopause through personalized nutrition, gut health, and lifestyle strategies. She is the author of The Menopause Gut and a passionate advocate for empowering women to take control of their health during this pivotal transition. IN THIS EPISODE Why so many women feel disconnected from their bodies in midlife How the gut microbiome influences hormones, inflammation, and metabolism The “Three Ps” shaping gut health: puberty, pregnancy, and perimenopause The link between leaky gut, food sensitivities, mood, and inflammation Why protein, fiber, sleep, and stress support become nonnegotiable How alcohol and sugar disrupt gut health, sleep, and resilience Why midlife is a critical window to build long-term health—not just manage symptoms QUOTES“Midlife isn't just a hormonal shift—it's a metabolic and microbial shift happening beneath the surface.” “When you support your gut, you're not just improving digestion—you're impacting your hormones, your brain, and your long-term resilience.” “This phase of life is an invitation to set boundaries, prioritize your needs, and finally major in what matters most.” RESOURCES MENTIONED