Hello, Hot Flash: Christian Menopause, Weight Loss, Hormones & Midlife Health

Dr. BreAnna and I had similar stories.  We both felt like guinea pigs.  We were poked and prodded and then asked to take medicines that ultimately didn’t heal our bodies.   
“I tried acupuncture, herbs, raw food diet, vegan diet…one of the things that had the biggest impact, and I think I heard you say this, is when I stepped into the role of being my own advocate,” Dr. BreAnna.
We both decided that, in the end, we had to advocate for ourselves.  
Here are some key takeaways:
Dr. BreAnna was put on birth control at the age of 14 to stop heavy menstrual cycles.  She now questions why there weren’t options given to balance her hormones instead of medication that ultimately left her without her cycle.
How a better understanding of the SAD (Standard  American Diet) helped uncover the cause of her heavy cycles.
Historically, we have feared questioning our doctors or asking for additional testing.  Dr. BreAnna walks us through some steps that will make the conversation easier.
A better understanding of what heavy and or painful periods may be saying about what is going on in your body.
We should start having these conversations with the young women in our lives now.
Learn More About Our Guest
BreAnna Guan is a licensed naturopathic physician specializing in women's hormone health. Her healing journey began after going off the pill and losing her menstrual cycle for six years. She now helps women transform their hormone and health challenges into a life-changing and empowering journey. Through her virtual consulting practice, she has helped hundreds of women naturally transform their health, hormones, and fertility. 
Dr. Guan participated in NIH-funded research at Bastyr University, where she earned her undergraduate degree in Herbal Sciences, and then her doctorate and the prestigious Founder’s Day Award for exceptional service to her community. She is a past president of the Indiana Association of Naturopathic Physicians. She’s served as a medical consultant for hormone-testing companies,  a well-known fertility software app, and a botanical supplement company. 
She has been featured in Women's Health, Prevention, Cosmo and Parade and she’s been a guest speaker with several podcasts. Dr. Guan lives with her husband and four children.
https://drbreannaguan.com/
https://www.instagram.com/drbreannaguan/
https://www.facebook.com/drbreannaguan/
 
Sites Mentioned In This Episode
Sacredcow.info
Listen to the full episode on Apple, Spotify, Podbean, or wherever you download your podcast. 

In This Episode
During my interview with Catherine Staffieri, Registered Dietician, and Nutritionist, we discussed why, as you age, you may see increase in your blood sugar levels.  “Women sometimes will experience erratic hormone levels with their estrogen and progesterone as they go through the menopause transition. And estrogen is very closely linked with insulin sensitivity. When our cells are less sensitive to insulin, the cells can't work as intended.”
Catherine further explains the difference between glucose and insulin, and she provides some easy-to-follow, no-cost ideas on how to stay healthy.
Highlights from our conversation:
Estrogen and progesterone levels are closely linked to insulin levels.  As our estrogen and progesterone decrease, we may become insulin sensitive.
We have a natural tendency to lose muscle mass as we age, and forty-five minutes per day on the elliptical is not the only thing you need to do to fight muscle loss.  
Eat carbohydrates. Glucose fuels your body, and your body and brain need the glucose from carbohydrates.  
Eating quality protein must be a priority to keep strong muscles.
Using a continuous glucose monitor can help you get a better understanding of the glucose and insulin changes in your body.
Learn More About Our Guest
Catherine Staffieri is a Registered Dietitian/Nutritionist with a Masters in Nutrition Education from Columbia University.  This is a second career for her, after working in the financial sector for several major global asset managers and making good use of her undergrad degree in Economics from The University of Pennsylvania.  
However, her passion for nutrition, science, and food found her wanting more than the financial world could offer, so she transitioned to become an RD/N.  She focused on taking those skills learned in the high-stakes corporate world to educate and help her clients translate, understand and optimize their own health.
Catherine is a Nutrition Manager at NutriSense and joined the firm in March 2021.  Catherine’s philosophy is that you’re never too old to make changes in your life to better your mind, your body, and your well-being.  We make our opportunities!
 
About Hello, Hot Flash
Hello, Hot Flash Podcast, where we discuss menopause, perimenopause, weight, sleep, stress, and all things impacting midlife women.  Expert interviews, life-impacting topics, and the latest tips on living your best mid-life! Find us on Apple, Spotify, and Podbean.
Looking to get your product in front of women ages 35 and up?  Why not become a sponsor?  Contact me at Stephanie@StephanieLynnShaw.com for additional information. 
 
You can learn more about our host by visiting HelloHotFlash.com.

In This Episode
 
In this episode, I spoke with Dr. Janet Williams, OB/GYN, about the many ways our bodies change as we mature —and what we can do to keep our sexual health in check.
We cover everything from pain to dryness. I know that as we age, it can feel like our bodies are changing in ways that we don't always understand or appreciate. Thankfully, Dr. Janet is here to help us uncover ways to support our sexual health. 
 
Key Takeaways
Sexual health is vital to a woman’s overall health, but society hasn’t given us much chance to discuss it. 
Historically, there was not a lot of guidance when it comes to women’s sexual health, even in medical training. This lack of knowledge has led to some serious consequences over the years.
Stress has a significant impact on our mental health as well as our physical health. It can have a negative impact on your sex drive, making you feel less comfortable in your own skin and leading you to avoid intimacy altogether.
There are personal trainers, business coaches, and even life coaches. But there is also an intimate life coach—someone who can help you navigate all the parts and pieces that factor into your intimate health and wellness.
A good intimate life coach has a full understanding of what's going on physically and emotionally. They will work with you to assess your current state and offer solutions for improvement.
Every woman should have a self-care regimen that helps improve their intimate life. It's about getting in touch with yourself emotionally but also physically. Self-care is a way to take care of your body and mind, and it can help you feel more comfortable in your own skin and more confident in your relationships with others.
Low libido is one of the most common concerns that women in midlife experience. It's multifactorial, and it comes and goes, but there are some things you can do to help yourself feel more like yourself again.
 
Learn More About Our Guest
Dr. Janet Williams, MD, is a licensed physician and surgeon practicing in Los Angeles, California.  She is a board-certified specialist in obstetrics and gynecology and a member of the International Society for the Study of Women’s Sexual Health. She has been helping women find solutions to their reproductive and sexual health concerns since 2001.
 
In addition to her medical practice, she is an intimate life coach at GoodGroove.com, the founder of IntimateWellnessShop.com, the premier source for doctor-curated intimate and sexual care products, and the author of the Amazon #1 Best Selling book Why Don’t I Like Sex Anymore?
 
Dr. Williams believes every woman, regardless of age, race, shape, or belief system, should have power over her own body, the right to express herself sexually, and the ability to dictate her own brand of pleasure. She founded GoodGroove.com, where she is an intimate life coach. She helps women over 40 conquer the physical and emotional changes that often come with age, treasure their natural magnificence, and enjoy phenomenal confident pleasure.
 
Follow her on:
https://intimatewellnessshop.com/
https://goodgroove.com/
https://www.instagram.com/ArtsyLadyDoc/
https://www.instagram.com/IntimateWellnessShop/ 
https://www.facebook.com/IntimateWellnessShop     
https://www.linkedin.com/in/janet-williams-md-409659140/
 
Products We Discussed
Intimate Wellness Shop
Why Don't I Like Sex Anymore?
The Body Is Not an Apology: The Power of Radical Self-Love
 
Complimentary download for listeners of the book Why Don't I Like Sex Anymore?:  http://whydontilikesexanymore.com/
 
About Hello, Hot Flash
Hello, Hot Flash Podcast, where we discuss menopause, perimenopause, weight, sleep, stress, and all things impacting midlife women.  Expert interviews, life-impacting topics, and the latest tips on living your best mid-life! Find us on Apple, Spotify, and Podbean.
 
Looking to get your product in front of women ages 35 and up?  Why not become a sponsor?  Contact me at Stephanie@StephanieLynnShaw.com for additional information. 
 
You can learn more about our host by visiting StephanieLynnShaw.com or HelloHotFlash.com.

In This Episode
We all know that sleep is important. But in midlife, sleep can be downright elusive. 
In this episode, we're talking with Kareese Laguerre about what may be keeping us from getting that perfect night's rest as midlife women. She's also sharing tons of solutions that will have you sleeping like a baby even if you are struggling with midlife changes—so you can get the best quality sleep possible.
 
Traditional medicine can be very beneficial, but oftentimes, it provides palliative options and does not really get to the root cause of health issues. 
There are issues that are so common to children, may it be physical or behavioral, that we just write them off as normal. But if we never do anything about them, these children may grow into unhealthy adults.
We tend to focus on the wrong areas. Everything important is above the shoulders, but people usually focus on the muscles below.
Myofunctional therapy is sort of like personal training that aims to optimize our breathing for better sleep and neural function. It sounds like a simple concept, but it can profoundly affect our health.
Sleep is very intertwined with breathing. We tend to just lie down and get it over with, but breathing is actually key to helping us regulate sleep.
Breathing issues, like snoring and sleep apnea, are common causes of poor sleep. This is because the brain becomes busy ensuring you're still getting enough oxygen to be alive instead of focusing on your sleep. 
Many people have some level of fatigue, but not all fatigue is the same. Many things, including sleep problems and dietary issues can cause fatigue.
A good sleep routine is just as important to adults as it is to children. It's necessary for good physical and mental performance.
There are a number of factors that can affect how well you sleep, but there are also some things you can do to improve your sleeping environment. This can make it easier to get a good night's rest—and wake up feeling refreshed.
If you've been struggling with insomnia or another sleep disorder for so long, it is crucial to see your physician and ask if they offer solutions that target the root cause of your problems, not just symptoms.
Additional Resources
Accomplished: How to Sleep Better, Eliminate Burnout, and Execute Goals
 
Learn More About Our Guest
Karese Laguerre  is a Registered Dental Hygienist and Myofunctional Therapist. She founded The Myo Spot, a practice aimed at amplifying oral wellness to whole body wellness. 
Through tele-therapy she helps clients of all ages overcome tongue ties, TMJ disorders, sleep apnea, grinding, anxiety, and various breathing and orofacial dysfunction. Passionate about education and self-help, she published Accomplished: How to Sleep Better, Eliminate Burnout and Execute Goals. When not working with clients globally, she spends time with her husband and four kids. 
 
Follow her on:
www.themyospot.com
www.airwaymatters.blog 
www.instagram.com/themyospot
 
About Hello, Hot Flash
Hello, Hot Flash Podcast, where we discuss menopause, perimenopause, weight, sleep, stress, and all things impacting midlife women.  Expert interviews, life-impacting topics, and the latest tips on living your best mid-life! Find us on Apple, Spotify, and Podbean.
Looking to get your product in front of women ages 35 and up?  Why not become a sponsor?  Contact me at Stephanie@StephanieLynnShaw.com for additional information. 
You can learn more about our host by visiting StephanieLynnShaw.com or HelloHotFlash.com.

In This Episode
In today's episode, we're talking about managing perimenopause and menopause in the workplace. Our guest is Luce Beaulieu, and she shares some great tips with us on how to manage these transitions effectively.
We also talk about preparing ourselves mentally and physically for the next phase of our lives and how having the right support system around us can make all the difference in how we manage this transition.
 
Here are some key takeaways from our conversation:
Menopause and perimenopause are within a continuum that goes on for many, many years in a woman's life. It's important to know where you are in that continuum so that you know how to care for yourself.
There is a need for top management and HR to be more educated about properly managing and supporting women in menopause. It starts with understanding how to better support women through their menopausal transition and how this can benefit the employee, their families, and the company.
Menopause is like a "portal" because you don't know what it really is until you're in it. The symptoms vary from woman to woman, so it’s only through personal experience that you can really fully understand its implications. 
Learn More About Our Guest
Luce Beaulieu is passionate about transformation and she believes that we can all learn to navigate midlife and the menopause transition meaningfully and with dignity, in order to become and support the conscious leaders this world needs. 
Her journey has been marked by a series of transformations both personally and professionally. She is a talented and creative innovator and thinking partner utilizing coaching and mentoring, consulting, facilitating, online and offline community building, collective conversations, public speaking, writing, and social activism. 
 
Follow her on:
https://www.immergence.co
https://www.facebook.com/immergence.co 
https://www.instagram.com/immergence.co 
https://www.linkedin.com/in/lucebeaulieu 
 
About Hello, Hot Flash
Hello, Hot Flash Podcast, where we discuss menopause, perimenopause, weight, sleep, stress, and all things impacting midlife women.  Expert interviews, life-impacting topics, and the latest tips on living your best mid-life! Find us on Apple, Spotify, and Podbean.
Looking to get your product in front of women ages 35 and up?  Why not become a sponsor?  Contact me at Stephanie@StephanieLynnShaw.com for additional information. 
You can learn more about our host by visiting StephanieLynnShaw.com.

How often do you think about your core assets? Do you even know what your core assets are?
 
In this episode, I had a chat with GV leadership reformer, CPA, and Stanford instructor, Ginny Victory, about how women can tap into our core assets so we can lead better, influence better, and live a fruitful and fulfilling career and personal life.
 
Knowing yourself is the key to both your career and personal life satisfaction. So in this episode of @theswitchpodcastwithstephanie, I sat down with @ginnyvictory to talk about a few helpful tools for getting in touch with the things that matter most to you, so you can feel more empowered and more fulfilled in everything you do.
 
C.O.R.E. Resource: https://www.victorybeginswithin.com/theswitchpodcast
 
Discover more about Ginny Victory here:
 
https://www.victorybeginswithin.com/
IG @ginnyvictory
FB @ginnyvictory and @ginnyvictoryfan
LinkedIn /ginnyvictory
Clubhouse @ginnyvictory and Club : The New Millennial Leader
 
About The Switch
 
The Switch Podcast With Stephanie Shaw - expert interviews, life-impacting topics, and the latest secrets on how to live your best life.  Find us on Apple, Spotify, and Podbean.
 
The Switch Podcast With Stephanie Shaw is brought to you by the health & wellness company Leigh & Ollie.  You can find out more about Leigh & Ollie by visiting our Facebook and Instagram page @MindBodyBusinessMethod.
You can learn more about our host by visiting StephanieLynnShaw.com.

In This Episode
Laura Martin walks us through her personal journey of dealing with IBS, loss, and learning how to be F.R.E.E. (a method she uses with clients to help them break free from gut and gut-related issues).
In our conversation, Laura teaches us about IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome) and helps us discover that food is not the only trigger.  Laura walks us through the importance of understanding and overcoming the gut-brain connection that keeps so many stuck when it comes to IBS.
Learn More About Our Guest
Laura Martin is a Certified IBS Nutrition Consultant and founder of Healing to Happy – an online holistic, gut-brain-focused company that helps women suffering from IBS and Anxiety to get back to eating normally without food fear.
After battling her way through IBS, hypothyroidism, anxiety, hormonal imbalances, and skin issues, she found herself with an unhealthy relationship with food and knew there had to be a better way.  
After many failed attempts and lessons learned, she came up with this one method known as the F.R.E.E. method that put her symptoms into remission without following restrictive diets or fancy supplement regimes. And yes, that nutrition routine now includes pizza without running to the bathroom. 
By applying this method using food, lifestyle, radical shifts in consciousness, and mindfulness practices + tools she's gone on to help hundreds of women around the globe do the same through her online courses, masterclasses, and 1:1 mentorship.
 
 www.healingtohappy.com/ibsrelief
www.healingtohappy.com/instagram
www.healingtohappy.com/facebook
www.healingtohappy.com/linkedin
www.healingtohappy.com/pinterest
 
About The Switch
 
The Switch Podcast With Stephanie Shaw - expert interviews, life-impacting topics, and the latest secrets on how to live your best life.  Find us on Apple, Spotify, and Podbean.
 
The Switch Podcast With Stephanie Shaw is brought to you by health & wellness company Leigh & Ollie.  You can find out more about Leigh & Ollie by visiting our Facebook and Instagram page @MindBodyBusinessMethod.
You can learn more about our host by visiting StephanieLynnShaw.com.

I'm this week's guest!  Thanks to my friend Mark Peyko for a great interview.
I've taken many journeys throughout my life, always trying to find my passion. It took a health crisis and job loss for me to make a move.
In March 2017, I was walking in New Orleans; I stepped on Bourbon Street and almost passed out. My body became numb, my breathing short and my left jaw began to tingle. This started a 2-year process of trying to figure out what was wrong with me.
On top of having every typical stroke symptom, I also began to suffer from migraines and anxiety.
I visited neurologists, physical therapists, acupuncturists, chiropractors (note the plural on each specialist).
I saw over 18 physicians (Western and Eastern medicine); I had multiple MRI's and too many emergency room visits, and I spent $20,000 out of pocket on medical care. No one had an answer.
In this episode, I talk about how I got to this place and more importantly, how you can avoid getting here.
 
About The Switch
The Switch Podcast With Stephanie Shaw - expert interviews, life-impacting topics, and the latest secrets on how to live your best life.  Find us on Apple, Spotify, and Podbean.
The Switch Podcast With Stephanie Shaw is brought to you by health & wellness company Leigh & Ollie.  You can find out more about Leigh & Ollie by visiting our Facebook and Instagram page @MindBodyBusinessMethod.
You can learn more about our host by visiting StephanieLynnShaw.com.  Or join our private Facebookk group - https://Facebook.com/groups/MBBMethod.