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

Menopause is a natural part of life, but that doesn’t mean it’s easy. I’ve experienced the exhaustion, the thinning hair, the mood swings—and the confusion that comes when you feel like your body is changing faster than you can keep up.
In this episode, I’m sharing my personal journey with menopause and the lessons I’ve learned along the way—especially when it comes to mental health. For too long, I thought what I was feeling was “just part of getting older” or that I simply needed to push through. I now know how important it is to recognize these symptoms for what they are, and to get real support—mentally, physically, and emotionally.
We’ll talk about why it’s essential to advocate for yourself with healthcare providers, explore holistic approaches that have helped me feel more grounded, and why celebrating small daily wins can make a big difference.
If you’re navigating perimenopause or menopause and wondering if what you’re feeling is normal—you’re not alone. Let’s talk about what it means to care for yourself in this season of life, with compassion and clarity.
 
Related Episodes
215 - Brain Fog Tackled In Under 10 Minutes https://hellohotflash.podbean.com/e/episode215/
Additional Resources
Like to watch your podcast episodes?  Well, so do I!  Subscribe to my YouTube page, @hellohotflashpodcast, to see the videos.  
Listen to my limited series podcast "Christian Women and Menopause" for Bible-based strategies on dealing with menopause symptoms like stress, anxiety, and depression.

If you’ve tried every diet and still feel stuck, this episode is for you. Stephanie breaks down the 7 most common midlife weight loss mistakes — and what to do instead. These insights will help you build a sustainable, enjoyable routine that actually supports your metabolism.
What You’ll Learn:
Why “all-or-nothing” thinking sets you up to fail
How ditching entire food groups can sabotage your hormones
The smarter way to plan meals (and still keep it spicy)
 
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https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/hello-hot-flash-conversations-about-menopause-womens/id1535385528
 
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Click on “Write a Review” and leave me your thoughts and comments!
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In this episode of Hello Hot Flash, I sit down with Leslie Gordon Christie, a renowned mindset and personal development coach, and founder of Buff Nation: 40+ and Fabulous. Leslie is on a mission to help women over 40 break free from limiting beliefs, reclaim their energy, and step into the strongest version of themselves—mentally, emotionally, and physically.
We explore how subconscious beliefs can quietly hold you back in your health, relationships, and especially your career—and how a mindset shift can be the key to thriving in midlife.
 
What You’ll Learn:
How limiting beliefs silently sabotage your health and career
The connection between mindset, menopause, and motivation
A 5-step process to reprogram your thinking and reclaim your confidence
Practical techniques like visualization, affirmations, and daily gratitude
Why focusing on what you want to create is more powerful than what you want to fix
 
About Our Guest:
Leslie Gordon Christie is a mindset and personal development coach who helps professional women shift their thinking to step into their best selves. She is the creator of BUFFnation (Beautiful, Unique, Fearless, Females), an online community empowering women 40+ through personal development, fitness, and nutrition.
With over two decades of experience in health, wellness, and personal development, Leslie is a Certified Proctor Gallagher Consultant, Culinary Nutrition Specialist, and certified personal trainer. Her coaching dives deep into core beliefs, helping clients reframe perspectives, build resilience, and achieve personal and professional growth.
Before launching her business, Leslie was a CTV anchor and reporter, associate editor at *Oxygen* magazine, and a freelance health journalist. Originally from Providence, Rhode Island, she grew up in Thunder Bay, Ontario, and holds a degree from Carleton University. She lives in Conestogo, Ontario, with her husband, Kyle, their two sons, Carter and Allister, and their Labradoodle, Ace.
Website: https://www.wearebuffnation.com/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@thebuffmom
Additional Resources :
Ready to launch your podcast:  https://hellohotflash.com/podcast-production
Listen to the Limited Series - Christian Women And Menopause: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/christian-women-and-menopause/id1742579345

Is hair loss during menopause just something we have to accept? Absolutely not. In this candid solo episode, host Stephanie Shaw, certified nutrition coach and menopause advocate, debunks the myth that hair thinning is just a cosmetic issue or “normal aging.”
Stephanie shares her personal hair loss journey and what helped her regrow confidence—and her hairline. You’ll learn the hormonal causes behind menopause-related hair loss, key nutritional gaps that may be contributing, and what labs to request to get real answers. If you're seeing more hair in your brush or noticing your parts are getting wider, this episode will help you understand the why and take next steps.
What You’ll Learn in This Episode:
Why hair loss is a health signal, not just a beauty issue
How hormonal shifts—especially estrogen and testosterone—affect your hair
Medical solutions 
Holistic strategies
What type of specialist to see first
The three lab tests to request from your doctor
A powerful question to ask if your hair loss is being dismissed

In this episode of Hello Hot Flash, we’re diving into the science and strategy behind clearing the mental fog that hits hard during midlife. You’ll learn how Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and nutritional shifts can dramatically improve memory, focus, and mental energy—especially when your hormones are changing.
What You’ll Learn:
The neuroscience of brain fog—and why it’s not “just stress.”
How CBT techniques can rewire your brain and sharpen your thinking.
Why nutrition is the missing link for many women struggling with concentration and clarity.
👉 Want help building a plan that's tailored to you?Book your free Action Plan Call here: https://www.hellohotflash.com/actionplancall

Show Notes
In this empowering episode of the Hello Hot Flash Podcast, I talk with Karen Viesta, a certified health and lifestyle coach who helps women over 40 master their health, energy, and boundaries. Together, they explore how people-pleasing behaviors and poor boundaries silently erode your well-being—and what to do about it.
Karen shares why boundaries are not about control, but about self-respect and emotional protection—and how to communicate them clearly so they strengthen, rather than harm, your relationships.
What You’ll Learn:
Why people pleasing is often rooted in early conditioning—and how to start breaking free.
The key resources boundaries are meant to protect: your time, money, energy, and emotional health.
How to communicate boundaries and consequences without guilt, shame, or fear of rejection.
Additional Resources:
Have a health chat with Stephanie:  /https://LOscheduling.as.me/action-plan-call
Inquire about nutrition coaching here: https://LOscheduling.as.me/Wellness 
Listen to the Limited Series - Christian Women And Menopause: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/christian-women-and-menopause/id1742579345
Take the free Hot Flash Free challenge here: https://www.hellohotflash.com/scorecard 
 
About Our Guest
To learn more about our guest, head over to https://hellohotflash.com/episodes/stop-people-pleasing.
Results are not guaranteed. The interview is for entertainment purposes only.  Please see disclaimer for more details.

In this episode, I break down the real reasons why weight gain happens during perimenopause and menopause — and why it’s not your fault. It's not just about eating less and moving more; it's about understanding the major changes happening inside your body and adjusting your approach.
I explain what tests you can request from your doctor, how hormonal shifts impact your metabolism, and why strategies that used to work often stop working in midlife.
If you're feeling frustrated with stubborn weight gain, heavier breathing, or faster heart rates when exercising — you’re not alone. I share how better information, targeted testing, and the right support can help you take control again.
What You'll Learn:
Which medical tests you should ask your doctor for to get a clearer picture of your health
How hormone changes, like lower estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone, affect your ability to lose weight
Why insulin resistance often develops in midlife and how it sabotages weight loss efforts
Why old methods like extreme calorie cutting and aggressive exercise stop working
How to work with your body — not against it — using a smarter, more supportive approach
👉 Want help building a plan that's tailored to you? Book your free Action Plan Call here: https://www.hellohotflash.com/actionplancall

Show Notes: 
In today’s 10-Minute Menopause Moment on Hello Hot Flash, we're busting one of the biggest myths around menopause — that it automatically means the end of your sex life. 
Spoiler alert: it doesn’t! 
In this episode, I share medical and holistic solutions to help support libido during midlife, who to talk to, and exactly what to ask for at your next doctor’s appointment.
Whether you're curious about testosterone therapy, natural options like maca root, or just want to feel empowered at your next check-up, this quick episode gives you the facts you need to start important conversations and take back control of your health.
 
What You'll Learn:
The role of testosterone therapy in boosting libido after menopause — and important pros and cons to know
A natural alternative (maca root) that may help support sexual health and energy
The specific test to ask for at your next doctor’s visit if you're concerned about low libido