BETTER! Muscle, Mobility, Metabolism & (Peri) Menopause with Dr. Stephanie

You can't watch a single sporting event without being hit with an Ozempic commercial — but did you know that those GLP-1s everyone's talking about are actually peptides?

Kyal Van Der Leest — nutritionist, naturopath, and the formulator behind LvLUp Health — breaks down which peptides actually work, which ones are all hype, and why the Swiss Army knife of peptides (BPC-157) might be exactly what your gut, your joints, and your brain have been begging for.

Kyal gets into the oral vs. injectable debate (Kyal sells oral peptides and still admits most oral ones don't work — gotta respect that), why your midlife body composition changes aren't just about willpower, the mould exposure conversation that'll make you side-eye your hotel room forever, and whether microdosing GLP-1s is the smarter play. If you're a Betty navigating perimenopause or menopause and want real, science-backed options beyond "just take Ozempic," this episode is your new best friend.

Go to https://lvluphealth.com/DRSTEPHANIE and use code DRSTEPHANIE for 15% off.

Episode Overview:
0:00 Teaser/Intro
6:30 Oral vs. Injectable Peptides
11:22 The Cost, Convenience & Travel Factor
15:47 BPC-157: The Swiss Army Knife of Peptides
21:10 Arthritis, Autoimmunity & the Gut Connection
27:28 GHK-Copper: Skin From Within & Longevity Genes
35:54 Body Composition Changes in Perimenopause & Menopause
43:24 Microdosing GLP-1s
49:47 Mould: The Hidden Wrecker of Hormones, Gut & Brain
58:49 How to Cycle Peptides (And Why You Should)
1:02:38 Level Up Health: Where to Find These Products
1:09:29 The After Party: Dr. Stephanie's Honest Take

Resources mentioned in this episode can be found at https://drstephanieestima.com/podcasts/ep459

We couldn’t do it without our sponsors:

TIMELINE  - As perimenopausal women, we know we are in a fight against time to preserve our muscle strength and endurance, plus our recovery needs are greater. That's why you save 20% at https://timelinenutrition.com/better with code BETTER.

JUST THRIVE HEALTH - Take the Just Thrive FEEL BETTER challenge today, and save 20% on your first order. Go to https://justthrivehealth.com/better and use the code BETTER to see the difference for yourself.

BON CHARGE - Achieve glowing skin, gain more energy, and uplevel your recovery practice with a suite of red light products. Get 15% off at https://boncharge.com/better with code BETTER.

AGZ - If you’re ready to turn down the stress and focus on the rest, head to https://drinkag1.com/STEPHANIE to get a FREE Frother with your first purchase of AGZ.

EQUIP COLLAGEN - Support bones, joints, gut, and skin with Equip Collagen. Get 20% off at https://equipfoods.com/better with code BETTER.

****************************
P.S. When you're ready, here are two ways Dr. Stephanie can help you:
Subscribe: The Mini Pause — My weekly newsletter packed with the most actionable, evidence-based tools for women 40+ to thrive in midlife.
Build Muscle: LIFT — My progressive strength training program designed for women in midlife. Form-focused, joint-friendly, and built for real results.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Your keys aren't lost. Your mind isn't going. And no, that's not Alzheimer's. Dr. Majid Fotuhi, Adjunct Professor, Johns Hopkins University & author of The Invincible Brain, busts the biggest myth in women's brain health: that the fog, the forgetfulness, and the "wait, why did I walk in here?" moments of perimenopause are a sign of something sinister. Spoiler: they're not. And your brain? It can literally grow.

From the surprising science of how walking three times a week can give you a measurably bigger brain, to why your hearing aid might be the best thing you ever do for your memory, Dr. Fotuhi gives us proof that midlife isn't a decline — it's a new childhood. And this time, you're in charge.

Episode Overview (timestamps are approximate):

(0:00) Intro/Teaser

(5:00) Why Perimenopause Causes Brain Fog

(8:00) Estrogen & How Hormones Affect Memory

(13:00) Exercise Is the #1 Pillar of Brain Health

(16:00) Exercise That Grows Your Brain

(21:00) Brain Fog vs. Alzheimer’s

(26:00) Your Genes Are Not Your Destiny

(30:00) Medications & Hearing Loss

(43:00) Beyond IQ: The 30 Forms of Intelligence

(50:00) Brain Training & Neuroplasticity

(1:01:00) The After-Party with Dr. Stephanie

Resources mentioned in this episode: https://drstephanieestima.com/podcasts/ep458

We couldn’t do it without our sponsors:

QUALIA CREATINE+ - If you want to feel stronger, sharper, and more resilient, Qualia’s Creatine+ is my recommendation.Go to https://qualialife.com/better  and use code BETTER to save up to 50%, plus an additional 15% off. 

COZY EARTH  - Cozy Earth helps you feel better by keeping your temperature perfect overnight to facilitate deep restorative sleep. Head to https://cozyearth.com and use my code BETTER for up to 20% off.

TROSCRIPTIONS - There’s a completely new way to optimize your health. Give it a try at https://troscriptions.com/BETTER or enter BETTER at checkout for 10% off your first order.

PIQUE LIFE - If you want to redefine your evening ritual and still feel like yourself the next day, you can get 10% off for life. Yes, for life at https://piquelife.com/better

YOUNG GOOSE  - More resilient. More hydrated. More responsive. This is skin quality skincare. Go to https://younggoose.com/better and use code BETTER for 10% off your first purchase

****************************
P.S. When you're ready, here are two ways Dr. Stephanie can help you:
Subscribe: The Mini Pause — My weekly newsletter packed with the most actionable, evidence-based tools for women 40+ to thrive in midlife.
Build Muscle: LIFT — My progressive strength training program designed for women in midlife. Form-focused, joint-friendly, and built for real results.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Dr. Stephanie covers tendon anatomy, how they respond to mechanical loading, why "stiffness" is actually desirable, and the evidence-based rehab hierarchy: load management, isometrics, heavy slow resistance training, and elastic recoil progressions. She addresses common issues for women over 40—lateral hip pain, rotator cuff problems, tennis elbow, patellar tendinopathy—and explains how perimenopause and hormone shifts create vulnerabilities.

Whether you're dealing with a cranky Achilles, can't sleep on your side due to hip pain, or want to prevent future injury while strength training for life, this episode gives you the tendon operating manual you didn't know you needed. Plus: why tendons are Dr. Stephanie's spirit animal (they hate surprises, just like her).

Episode Overview (timestamps are approximate):

(0:00) Teaser: Tendons Are My Spirit Animal

(2:00) Why Tendons Deserve Their Own Episode

(5:00) Tendon Anatomy: Ropes Upon Ropes of Collagen

(11:00) Mechanotransduction & The Goldilocks Principle

(18:00) The Six-Week Trap: When Muscles Outpace Tendons

(24:00) Tendinopathy Explained

(30:00) The Four-Pillar Rehab Strategy

(40:00) Prevention Checklist

(44:00) Women Over 40: Hormones, Hip Pain & Rotator Cuff Issues

(55:00) Final Thoughts & Wrap-Up

Resources mentioned in this episode can be found at https://drstephanieestima.com/podcasts/ep457

We couldn’t do it without our sponsors:

BIOPTIMIZERS - Magnesium Breakthrough contains multiple types of magnesium plus cofactors like B6 to enhance absorption. Visit https://bioptimizers.com/better and use code BETTER to save 15%.

TIMELINE - As perimenopausal women, we know we are in a fight against time to preserve our muscle strength and endurance, plus our recovery needs are greater. That's why you save 20% at https://timelinenutrition.com/better with code BETTER.

ONESKIN - Harness the power of peptides for fuller hair and glowing skin. Save 15% at https://oneskin.co/better with code BETTER.

JUST THRIVE HEALTH - Take the Just Thrive FEEL BETTER challenge today, and save 20% on your first order. Go to https://justthrivehealth.com/better and use the code BETTER to see the difference for yourself.

HIGHER DOSE - If you’re noticing thinning, shedding, or simply want to support scalp and hair health proactively, this is a powerful addition to your routine. Get 15% off the Red Light Hat at https://higherdose.com with code BETTER at checkout.

****************************
P.S. When you're ready, here are two ways Dr. Stephanie can help you:
Subscribe: The Mini Pause — My weekly newsletter packed with the most actionable, evidence-based tools for women 40+ to thrive in midlife.
Build Muscle: LIFT — My progressive strength training program designed for women in midlife. Form-focused, joint-friendly, and built for real results.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Dr. Maria Sophocles examines the “bedroom gap,” the disparity in sexual expectations and challenges between men and women in midlife. In this episode, she explains how menopausal hormonal changes, together with psychological and cultural pressures, affect women’s sexual agency. Many women internalize norms that prioritize a partner’s needs over their own, leading to shame about reduced libido. This conversation is a call to action for women to prioritize their sexual health and engage in honest dialogue to support healthier, more fulfilling relationships.
Episode Overview (timestamps are approximate):
(0:00) Intro/Teaser
(5:00) The Bedroom Gap
(10:00) Hormones & The Neiman Marcus to IKEA Transition
(14:00) Systemic Estrogen vs. Vaginal & The Cancer Fear
(23:00) Hormone Therapy & The Healthy User Bias
(26:00) Non-Hormonal Options
(32:00) Sex After a Heart Attack
(40:00) Sex Span as Health Span
(42:00) Why Women Think Sex Is For Men
(49:00) Where to Learn About Sex
(55:00) How to Talk to Your Partner
(1:10:00) Redefining Sex at Any Age
(1:13:00) After Party with Dr. Stephanie
Resources mentioned can be found at https://drstephanieestima.com/podcasts/ep456
We couldn’t do it without our sponsors:
KENETIK - You think carefully about how you fuel your body but are you fueling your brain? Learn more about Kenetik and try it for yourself by going to https://drinkkenetik.com/BETTER and use code BETTER for 15% off your purchase.
MUSE - Train your nervous system with feedback, the same way you’d train muscles with resistance. If you are ready to unlock your brain's potential, go to https://choosemuse.com/BETTER or use code BETTER at checkout to get started.
COZY EARTH - Cozy Earth helps you feel better by keeping your temperature perfect overnight to facilitate deep restorative sleep. Head to https://cozyearth.com and use my code BETTER for up to 20% off.
PIQUE LIFE - If you want to redefine your evening ritual and still feel like yourself the next day, you can get 10% off for life. Yes, for life at https://piquelife.com/better

****************************
P.S. When you're ready, here are two ways Dr. Stephanie can help you:
Subscribe: The Mini Pause — My weekly newsletter packed with the most actionable, evidence-based tools for women 40+ to thrive in midlife.
Build Muscle: LIFT — My progressive strength training program designed for women in midlife. Form-focused, joint-friendly, and built for real results.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Ready for the breast health conversation nobody's having? Harvard-trained breast radiologist Dr. Lilian Ebuoma gives a masterclass that covers everything from why your daughter might be developing breast buds at 7 (spoiler: it's not just you) to the real deal on mammograms, dense breasts, and that one lifestyle change that drops breast cancer risk by 25%. Whether you're navigating perimenopause, worried about lumps, confused about nipple discharge colours (yes, there's a rainbow), or just want to understand your breasts better—this episode gives you the knowledge and confidence to advocate for yourself.

Plus, Dr. Lilian shares the one question that transforms patient care and builds trust across cultural divides. If you own breasts or care about someone who does, press play.

Episode Overview (timestamps are approximate):

(0:00) Intro/Teaser

(4:00) Breast Development

(12:00) Breast Pain: Cyclical vs Non-Cyclical

(16:00) Lumps & Self-Exams

(27:00) Nipple Discharge

(33:00) Mastitis

(38:00) Dense Breasts & Mammography Myths

(41:00) Compression, Radiation & Mammograms

(54:00) Lifestyle as Prevention

(58:00) Finding Joy in Movement

(1:05:00) Building Trust Across Cultural Divides

(1:09:00) “What Are You Afraid Of?”

(1:11:00) The After-Party with Dr. Stephanie

Resources mentioned in this episode can be found at: https://drstephanieestima.com/podcasts/ep455

We couldn’t do it without our sponsors

BON CHARGE - Achieve glowing skin, gain more energy, and uplevel your recovery practice with a suite of red light products. Get 15% off at https://boncharge.com/better with code BETTER.

JUST THRIVE HEALTH - Take the Just Thrive FEEL BETTER challenge today, and save 20% on your first order. Go to https://justthrivehealth.com/better and use the code BETTER to see the difference for yourself or get a full product refund, no questions asked.

TIMELINE - As perimenopausal women, we know we are in a fight against time to preserve our muscle strength and endurance, plus our recovery needs are greater. That's why you save 20% at https://timelinenutrition.com/better with code BETTER.

COZY EARTH - Cozy Earth helps you feel better by keeping your temperature perfect overnight to facilitate deep restorative sleep. Head to https://cozyearth.com and use my code BETTER for up to 20% off.

AG1 - Subscribe today to get a 1-month supply of AG Omega-3 with your first AG1 order! You’ll also get their Welcome Kit with everything you need to get you started. Get it now at https://drinkag1.com/stephanie.

****************************
P.S. When you're ready, here are two ways Dr. Stephanie can help you:
Subscribe: The Mini Pause — My weekly newsletter packed with the most actionable, evidence-based tools for women 40+ to thrive in midlife.
Build Muscle: LIFT — My progressive strength training program designed for women in midlife. Form-focused, joint-friendly, and built for real results.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.