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Hit Play Not Pause

Hit Play Not Pause

Perimenopause and menopause hit active women differently. We have a different lifestyle and different goals. And we know our bodies. Whether you run and hike or do CrossFit and ski (or a little of everything!), you’ve had a way of eating and exercising that worked…until the menopause transition, when it all goes out the window as body composition changes, fatigue, body aches, sleepless nights, hot flashes, brain fog, mood swings, and low mojo blindside you out of the blue—despite doing everything right. Your doctor may (or may not) help with hormone replacement therapy. But what about all the active stuff you love? You’re already exercising and eating well. What you want is to feel and perform like you used to. That doesn’t mean fasting, swearing off carbs for life, or just slowing down. It means adjusting your nutrition, training, recovery, and mindset to work with your changing physiology as you hit this phase of life. And we’re here for it.

At Hit Play Not Pause, we know the potential of women in their 40s, 50s, 60s, and beyond, because we talk to elite athletes and everyday active women who are still hitting personal bests along with world-renowned sports dietitians, researchers, medical and menopause specialists to help you understand what’s happening under the hood during the menopause transition and more importantly, what you can do about it—from hormone therapy to heavy lifting and everything in between—to feel and perform your best.

Host Selene Yeager is a health and science journalist with 30 years’ experience and more than two dozen books to her name. She also lives an active life as a former Ironman triathlete and professional mountain bike racer who still rides, runs, paddles, hikes, lifts, and through her work at Feisty Menopause helps others do the same.

  • 313 episodes
  • Updated Wednesday

Episodes313

  • Nov 16, 2022 · 1 hr 19 min

    Women Who FKT with Teri Smith and Dana Katz (Episode 106)

    Want to challenge yourself without the pressure that comes with traditional competition? Feel like trying something new that won’t have you comparing your former self to your current self? This week’s guests Teri Smith and Dana Katz suggest trying an FKT, or fastest known time, a challenge where you run, hike, or in some cases bike or “multi-sport” along a route as quickly as you can to try and set an FKT. When perimenopause upended Teri’s competitive identity as an ultrarunner, her friend Dana coached her to complete an FKT—nearly 190 miles of traversing the Olympic Peninsula of Washington—and it transformed her life, as you’ll hear in her own words in this week’s show. Dana is the owner and coach at UltraU in Portland and also coaches with Women who FKT. Teri is an avid backpacker, trail runner, cross country skier, and mom. They are both part of the Women Who FKT Project, a group of women who are on a mission to help more women and underserved minorities have meaningful adventures in the outdoors. You can learn more about them and their work at Women Who FKT. Resources Fastest Known Time Official Website Women who FKT Instagram Teri Smith and Stacey Lee’s FKT story Support our Partners: Midi Health: You Deserve to Feel Great. Book your virtual visit today at https://www.joinmidi.com/ Previnex: Get 20% off your order with code FEISTYBRAIN at https://www.previnex.com/ Wahoo: Use the code FEISTY2026 to get a free Headwind Smart Fan (value $300) with the purchase of a Wahoo KICKR RUN at https://shorturl.at/WVhdr Join us at Feisty Fest September 18-20, 2026: https://www.wetravel.com/trips/feistyfest-feisty-media-1943243299#about-this-trip Join the Feisty Strong STRONG Club: https://feisty.co/training/strong-club/ and use code:  HITPLAY15 to save 15% Sign up for our FREE Feisty 40+ newsletter: https://feisty.co/feisty-40/ Learn More about our 2026 Feisty Events, including Bike Camps and Cycling Trips: https://feisty.co/events/ Follow Us on Instagram: Feisty Menopause: @feistymenopause Hit Play Not Pause Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/807943973376099

  • Nov 9, 2022 · 58 min

    Healthy, Pain-free Joints Through Menopause. How Regenerative Medicine Can Help (Episode 105)

    Nothing stops you in your tracks like chronic pain and nagging, seemingly endless injuries, both of which can become more common during the menopause transition and beyond. The sports medicine world is brimming with cutting-edge, regenerative medicine treatments promising relief, but it can be hard to cut through the marketing jargon to figure out what really works. This week we sat down with sports medicine-certified orthopedic surgeon Dr. Vonda Wright of the Hughston Clinic for detailed explanations of TenJet rehabilitation, platelet-rich plasma (PRP), stem cells, orthobiologic injections, and other regenerative medicine treatments, as well as the impact of diet and lifestyle on joint health. Dr. Wright is a double board-certified orthopedic surgeon, researcher, and team doctor. Her pioneering research in mobility and musculoskeletal aging is changing the way we view and treat the aging process, and her passion for advancing her field is evident in her expertise with cutting-edge orthobiologics techniques, including PRP for arthritis. She has experience caring for athletes and active people of all ages and skill levels, including the Division I Georgia State Panthers, Penguins Elite developmental hockey teams, University of Pittsburgh Division I athletes, World Rugby 7’s, Olympic track and field athletes, and the Atlanta Ballet. You can learn more about her and her work at https://www.surgeon.drvondawright.com/ Support our Partners: Midi Health: You Deserve to Feel Great. Book your virtual visit today at https://www.joinmidi.com/ Previnex: Get 20% off your order with code FEISTYBRAIN at https://www.previnex.com/ Wahoo: Use the code FEISTY2026 to get a free Headwind Smart Fan (value $300) with the purchase of a Wahoo KICKR RUN at https://shorturl.at/WVhdr Join us at Feisty Fest September 18-20, 2026: https://www.wetravel.com/trips/feistyfest-feisty-media-1943243299#about-this-trip Join the Feisty Strong STRONG Club: https://feisty.co/training/strong-club/ and use code:  HITPLAY15 to save 15% Sign up for our FREE Feisty 40+ newsletter: https://feisty.co/feisty-40/ Learn More about our 2026 Feisty Events, including Bike Camps and Cycling Trips: https://feisty.co/events/ Follow Us on Instagram: Feisty Menopause: @feistymenopause Hit Play Not Pause Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/807943973376099

  • Nov 2, 2022 · 51 min

    Surfing the Turbulent Waters of Midlife and Menopause with Lisa Alfano (Episode 104)

    Body image issues. Wrecked sleep. Struggling with slowing down. Midlife and menopause can send us into some seriously turbulent waters. This week’s guest, Lisa Alfano, manages to keep from going under by riding the waves–literally. Lisa is a surfer and triathlete who has married her passions in her business Tri2Surf, a community for women ages 50+ who want to reset or discover their active selves and claim their power and passion. Lisa has battled body image issues her whole life. Menopause and midlife magnified them, and also ushered in poor sleep, anxiety, hot flashes, and a host of symptoms that were pulling her under and threatening to upend her sense of self. At age 50, she found salvation in triathlon, which gave her a sense of community and turned her life around. At age 57, she gave herself another midlife boost by taking up surfing, which she says brings her “joy and peace no matter what is happening.” We talk all about surfing, triathlon, and finding passion in menopause and beyond. You can learn more about Lisa and Tri2Surf at https://www.tri2surf.com/ Support our Partners: Midi Health: You Deserve to Feel Great. Book your virtual visit today at https://www.joinmidi.com/ Previnex: Get 20% off your order with code FEISTYBRAIN at https://www.previnex.com/ Wahoo: Use the code FEISTY2026 to get a free Headwind Smart Fan (value $300) with the purchase of a Wahoo KICKR RUN at https://shorturl.at/WVhdr Join us at Feisty Fest September 18-20, 2026: https://www.wetravel.com/trips/feistyfest-feisty-media-1943243299#about-this-trip Join the Feisty Strong STRONG Club: https://feisty.co/training/strong-club/ and use code:  HITPLAY15 to save 15% Sign up for our FREE Feisty 40+ newsletter: https://feisty.co/feisty-40/ Learn More about our 2026 Feisty Events, including Bike Camps and Cycling Trips: https://feisty.co/events/ Follow Us on Instagram: Feisty Menopause: @feistymenopause Hit Play Not Pause Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/807943973376099

  • Oct 26, 2022 · 1 hr 20 min

    Less Fuel, More Problems. Why Menopausal Athletes Need to Eat More with Heidi Skolnik (Episode 103)

    Eat less. How many times have you seen and heard that message? As a generation that grew up steeped in diet culture, most of us have it deeply internalized…often to our detriment. Underfueling among active women is extremely common and puts us at risk for low energy availability (LEA), which can lead to relative energy deficiency in sport (RED-S), a condition that not only hurts performance, but also can cause irreparable negative health consequences. LEA/RED-S can be especially difficult to spot in midlife women because the symptoms mirror those we experience during perimenopause. We dig into all of it this week to help you avoid LEA/RED-S and get the fuel you need to feel and perform your best with Heidi Skolnik, MS, CDN, FACSM of Nutrition Conditioning, LLC, and author of The Athlete Triad Playbook. Heidi is a sports nutritionist, exercise physiologist, and thought leader in her field. She has been part of The Women’s Sports Medicine Center at Hospital for Special Surgery for over 20 years and oversees the nutrition program at The Juilliard School and the School of American Ballet. Heidi has sat on the Board of The National Osteoporosis Foundation for ten years and currently sits on the Medical Advisory Committee of The National Menopause Foundation. She is also the co-author of the NYTimes Best Selling The Whole Body Reset (Simon & Schuster and AARP). You can learn more about her and her work at heidiskolnik.com Resources: https://athletetriadplaybook.com/ https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fnut.2021.640621/full Support our Partners: Midi Health: You Deserve to Feel Great. Book your virtual visit today at https://www.joinmidi.com/ Previnex: Get 20% off your order with code FEISTYBRAIN at https://www.previnex.com/ Wahoo: Use the code FEISTY2026 to get a free Headwind Smart Fan (value $300) with the purchase of a Wahoo KICKR RUN at https://shorturl.at/WVhdr Join us at Feisty Fest September 18-20, 2026: https://www.wetravel.com/trips/feistyfest-feisty-media-1943243299#about-this-trip Join the Feisty Strong STRONG Club: https://feisty.co/training/strong-club/ and use code:  HITPLAY15 to save 15% Sign up for our FREE Feisty 40+ newsletter: https://feisty.co/feisty-40/ Learn More about our 2026 Feisty Events, including Bike Camps and Cycling Trips: https://feisty.co/events/ Follow Us on Instagram: Feisty Menopause: @feistymenopause Hit Play Not Pause Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/807943973376099

  • Oct 19, 2022 · 1 hr 10 min

    Breast Health During Menopause with Amy Comander, MD (Episode 102)

    October is breast cancer awareness month, an annual campaign to raise awareness about the impact of breast cancer. That’s especially important for women in the menopause transition and beyond because the risk of breast cancer rises with age. Most breast cancers are found in women who are 55 and older. This week we sat down with marathon runner and breast oncologist Amy Comander, MD, at the Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center to discuss how we can manage our risks no matter our family history, genetic makeup, or time of life. Dr. Comander is Director of Breast Oncology and Cancer Survivorship at the Mass General Cancer Center in Waltham and at Newton Wellesley Hospital. She is Medical Director of the Mass General Cancer Center in Waltham and the Director of Lifestyle Medicine at the Mass General Cancer Center. She is an Instructor in Medicine at Harvard Medical School. She is board certified in Hematology and Medical Oncology, and she is also board certified in Lifestyle Medicine. Resources Katie Couric’s article on her breast cancer. Research on exercise and breast cancer survival. Breast cancer risk calculator Link to the PAVING workbook Support our Partners: Midi Health: You Deserve to Feel Great. Book your virtual visit today at https://www.joinmidi.com/ Previnex: Get 20% off your order with code FEISTYBRAIN at https://www.previnex.com/ Wahoo: Use the code FEISTY2026 to get a free Headwind Smart Fan (value $300) with the purchase of a Wahoo KICKR RUN at https://shorturl.at/WVhdr Join us at Feisty Fest September 18-20, 2026: https://www.wetravel.com/trips/feistyfest-feisty-media-1943243299#about-this-trip Join the Feisty Strong STRONG Club: https://feisty.co/training/strong-club/ and use code:  HITPLAY15 to save 15% Sign up for our FREE Feisty 40+ newsletter: https://feisty.co/feisty-40/ Learn More about our 2026 Feisty Events, including Bike Camps and Cycling Trips: https://feisty.co/events/ Follow Us on Instagram: Feisty Menopause: @feistymenopause Hit Play Not Pause Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/807943973376099

  • Oct 12, 2022 · 37 min

    The State of Menopause with Stephanie Faubion, MD, MBA, Medical Director of NAMS (Episode 101)

    The good news: we are finally talking about menopause! The not so good news: we still have a long way to go, especially in the realm of research, says this week’s guest Dr. Stephanie Faubion, who is on the tip of the spear leading the way forward as the Medical Director of The North American Menopause Society (NAMS). When it comes to dealing with menopause openly in our culture, especially in the workplace, Dr. Faubion believes we are where we were with pregnancy 30 years ago. And she has some ideas on how we can all help accelerate progress and bring our doctors and culture up to speed. Along with her role as Medical Director of NAMS, Dr. Faubion is Professor and Chair of the Department of Medicine at Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville, Florida, and Director of the Mayo Clinic Center for Women’s Health. Her expertise is in women’s health, clinical research, education, and clinical practice. You can learn more about her and her work at mayo.edu. Support our Partners: Midi Health: You Deserve to Feel Great. Book your virtual visit today at https://www.joinmidi.com/ Previnex: Get 20% off your order with code FEISTYBRAIN at https://www.previnex.com/ Wahoo: Use the code FEISTY2026 to get a free Headwind Smart Fan (value $300) with the purchase of a Wahoo KICKR RUN at https://shorturl.at/WVhdr Join us at Feisty Fest September 18-20, 2026: https://www.wetravel.com/trips/feistyfest-feisty-media-1943243299#about-this-trip Join the Feisty Strong STRONG Club: https://feisty.co/training/strong-club/ and use code:  HITPLAY15 to save 15% Sign up for our FREE Feisty 40+ newsletter: https://feisty.co/feisty-40/ Learn More about our 2026 Feisty Events, including Bike Camps and Cycling Trips: https://feisty.co/events/ Follow Us on Instagram: Feisty Menopause: @feistymenopause Hit Play Not Pause Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/807943973376099

  • Oct 5, 2022 · 1 hr 21 min

    The Power of You (Episode 100)

    We are celebrating our 100th episode…and the fact that we have surpassed one million downloads in just two years’ time! Our community is growing by leaps and bounds and you’re the reason why. So this week, we are also celebrating YOU! Host Selene Yeager sits down with Hit Play Not Pause producer Carrie Barrett to share listener messages, talk about what we’ve learned, our hopes for the future, and to give you a little peek behind the curtain on how this show comes together week after week. We hope you enjoy it! Let’s shoot for another 100 and millions more! Join us at Feisty Fest September 18-20, 2026: https://www.wetravel.com/trips/feistyfest-feisty-media-1943243299#about-this-trip Join the Feisty Strong STRONG Club: https://feisty.co/training/strong-club/ and use code:  HITPLAY15 to save 15% Sign up for our FREE Feisty 40+ newsletter: https://feisty.co/feisty-40/ Learn More about our 2026 Feisty Events, including Bike Camps and Cycling Trips: https://feisty.co/events/ Follow Us on Instagram: Feisty Menopause: @feistymenopause Hit Play Not Pause Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/807943973376099 Support our Partners: Midi Health: You Deserve to Feel Great. Book your virtual visit today at https://www.joinmidi.com/ Previnex: Get 20% off your order with code FEISTYBRAIN at https://www.previnex.com/ Wahoo: Use the code FEISTY2026 to get a free Headwind Smart Fan (value $300) with the purchase of a Wahoo KICKR RUN at https://shorturl.at/WVhdr

  • Sep 28, 2022 · 1 hr 3 min

    Acupuncture for Managing Menopausal Symptoms with Michelle Hay (Episode 99)

    Bloating, hot flashes, night sweats, disrupted sleep, irritability, restlessness, brain fog…this week’s guest Michelle Hay treats them all, as well as the stress that can exacerbate them, with acupuncture. This week’s show is all about this Traditional Chinese Medicine practice, how it works, what to expect, and the specific benefits for menopausal women. Michelle P. Hay, is Co-Director of Acupuncture at Boston IVF in Waltham, MA. She has been working in women’s health since 2006 and is committed to helping women improve their quality of life by using Traditional Chinese Medicine. Her previous career as a respiratory therapist allows her to take an integrated approach to healthcare understanding both Eastern and Western Medicine. https://thehayclinic.com/ Sources: BMJ study on the benefits of acupuncture for menopausal symptoms here Support our Partners: Midi Health: You Deserve to Feel Great. Book your virtual visit today at https://www.joinmidi.com/ Previnex: Get 20% off your order with code FEISTYBRAIN at https://www.previnex.com/ Wahoo: Use the code FEISTY2026 to get a free Headwind Smart Fan (value $300) with the purchase of a Wahoo KICKR RUN at https://shorturl.at/WVhdr Join us at Feisty Fest September 18-20, 2026: https://www.wetravel.com/trips/feistyfest-feisty-media-1943243299#about-this-trip Join the Feisty Strong STRONG Club: https://feisty.co/training/strong-club/ and use code:  HITPLAY15 to save 15% Sign up for our FREE Feisty 40+ newsletter: https://feisty.co/feisty-40/ Learn More about our 2026 Feisty Events, including Bike Camps and Cycling Trips: https://feisty.co/events/ Follow Us on Instagram: Feisty Menopause: @feistymenopause Hit Play Not Pause Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/807943973376099

  • Sep 21, 2022 · 1 hr 10 min

    Less Pain, More Joy & Better Movement in Menopause with Petra Fisher (Episode 98)

    Most of us, even if we’re very active, are not moving our bodies the way nature designed them to move. We exercise plenty. We also sit plenty. We wear shoes that don’t help keep our feet strong or our posture properly aligned. That can set the stage for aches, pains, and injuries, especially during this time of life when our joints are more vulnerable. This week we talk with movement coach Petra Fisher about the small daily adjustments we can make and exercises we can do to enhance mobility, decrease pain, and improve performance. Petra is a movement coach, body nerd and recovering lawyer. She is certified in Restorative Exercise, MovNat and Functional Range Conditioning. Petra’s mission in life is to help women reconnect with their bodies so they have less pain, more joy & get to do more of what they love for the rest of their lives. You can learn more about her and her work at www.PetraFisherMovement.com Resources from this podcast: Free Your Feet - free foot program to get started restoring healthy foot function - here Step-by-step guide on how to transition safely and well to barefoot-style footwear - here Joints For Life 2.0 - foundational CARs joint mobility program - here  Support our Partners: Midi Health: You Deserve to Feel Great. Book your virtual visit today at https://www.joinmidi.com/ Previnex: Get 20% off your order with code FEISTYBRAIN at https://www.previnex.com/ Wahoo: Use the code FEISTY2026 to get a free Headwind Smart Fan (value $300) with the purchase of a Wahoo KICKR RUN at https://shorturl.at/WVhdr Join us at Feisty Fest September 18-20, 2026: https://www.wetravel.com/trips/feistyfest-feisty-media-1943243299#about-this-trip Join the Feisty Strong STRONG Club: https://feisty.co/training/strong-club/ and use code:  HITPLAY15 to save 15% Sign up for our FREE Feisty 40+ newsletter: https://feisty.co/feisty-40/ Learn More about our 2026 Feisty Events, including Bike Camps and Cycling Trips: https://feisty.co/events/ Follow Us on Instagram: Feisty Menopause: @feistymenopause Hit Play Not Pause Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/807943973376099

  • Sep 14, 2022 · 1 hr 5 min

    Crushing CrossFit During Menopause with Shawna Norton (Episode 97)

    Heavy lifting, HIIT training, and explosive exercises like plyometrics do a menopausal body good. So, CrossFit can be the perfect workout for women in this stage of life…provided they scale it to their needs. That’s because CrossFit also has elements that may not work with our physiology and can leave us feeling tired and beat down instead of strong and built up. That’s why this week’s guest, CrossFit coach Shawna Norton of Competitive Female Training created “Level M” CrossFit programming for women peri and post-menopause. We talk all about the benefits of CrossFit, how to scale workouts to work with your physiology, and how to fuel it all for the best results. Shawna is an L1 Certified Nutrition Coach through Precision Nutrition, with a B.S in Kinesiology. She holds her L1 with Crossfit and actively coaches athletes through her women’s only coaching program–Competitive Female Training. She loves helping women fuel their training and focus on what their bodies can do! You can find more about her and her work at competitivefemaletraining.com/level-m/ Support our Partners: Midi Health: You Deserve to Feel Great. Book your virtual visit today at https://www.joinmidi.com/ Previnex: Get 20% off your order with code FEISTYBRAIN at https://www.previnex.com/ Wahoo: Use the code FEISTY2026 to get a free Headwind Smart Fan (value $300) with the purchase of a Wahoo KICKR RUN at https://shorturl.at/WVhdr Join us at Feisty Fest September 18-20, 2026: https://www.wetravel.com/trips/feistyfest-feisty-media-1943243299#about-this-trip Join the Feisty Strong STRONG Club: https://feisty.co/training/strong-club/ and use code:  HITPLAY15 to save 15% Sign up for our FREE Feisty 40+ newsletter: https://feisty.co/feisty-40/ Learn More about our 2026 Feisty Events, including Bike Camps and Cycling Trips: https://feisty.co/events/ Follow Us on Instagram: Feisty Menopause: @feistymenopause Hit Play Not Pause Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/807943973376099

  • Sep 7, 2022 · 47 min

    Harnessing the Masters Mindset with Ashling Smith (Episode 96)

    What would happen if you tossed out all your premenopausal notions about how you are “supposed to” eat and train for your best performance and tried some new tricks to work with your changing physiology? If you’re like this week’s guest, you might just win a gold medal. Ashling Smith is a runner from Ireland who recently won a gold medal at the World Masters Athletics Championships in the 4 x 400 relay. She also ran to a career-high 4th place in the 1,500-meter race at the same event. She did both shortly after turning 50, recovering from Covid, and as she puts it being “smack bang in perimenopause”. How did she do it? Lifting, sprint training, plyometrics, and changing her relationship with food. We dive into all of that, her newfound love for being a menopausal woman, and more this week. Along with being a competitive elite runner, Ashling is a personal trainer, a Pilates instructor, and a deep tissue massage therapist. She helps women pursue sustainable fitness for life and have fun with their body at every age. You can follow her here. You can read all about her gold medal run at the Independent.ie. The research on iron supplementation we discuss can be found here. Support our Partners: Midi Health: You Deserve to Feel Great. Book your virtual visit today at https://www.joinmidi.com/ Previnex: Get 20% off your order with code FEISTYBRAIN at https://www.previnex.com/ Wahoo: Use the code FEISTY2026 to get a free Headwind Smart Fan (value $300) with the purchase of a Wahoo KICKR RUN at https://shorturl.at/WVhdr Join us at Feisty Fest September 18-20, 2026: https://www.wetravel.com/trips/feistyfest-feisty-media-1943243299#about-this-trip Join the Feisty Strong STRONG Club: https://feisty.co/training/strong-club/ and use code:  HITPLAY15 to save 15% Sign up for our FREE Feisty 40+ newsletter: https://feisty.co/feisty-40/ Learn More about our 2026 Feisty Events, including Bike Camps and Cycling Trips: https://feisty.co/events/ Follow Us on Instagram: Feisty Menopause: @feistymenopause Hit Play Not Pause Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/807943973376099

  • Aug 31, 2022 · 1 hr 4 min

    The ABCs of MHT with Heather Hirsch, MD (Episode 95)

    How do you know if menopausal hormone therapy (MHT) is for you? What should you expect if you start hormone therapy? How long does it take to work? What should you do if you don’t feel like it’s working? We dive into the ABCs of starting MHT this week with menopause doctor Heather Hirsch, MD. This is a good one for active menopausal women whether or not you are taking or plan to start MHT because we speak to all the things we should be doing, such as taking inventory of how we’re feeling and being proactive about our care, to feel and perform our best. Dr. Hirsch is board certified in internal medicine and completed advanced fellowship training in women’s health at the Cleveland Clinic. She performs menopause consultations at the Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston Massachusetts and is faculty at Harvard Medical School. Her practice has a focus on perimenopause and menopause symptom reduction, hormone therapy, genitourinary syndrome of menopause, sexual health, breast, and bone health. Her academic work centers on enhancing midlife women’s health education for fellows, residents, and medical students. Dr. Hirsch also teaches at the local, regional, and national level on various midlife topics. You can learn more about her and her work at www.heatherhirschmd.com/ Support our Partners: Midi Health: You Deserve to Feel Great. Book your virtual visit today at https://www.joinmidi.com/ Previnex: Get 20% off your order with code FEISTYBRAIN at https://www.previnex.com/ Wahoo: Use the code FEISTY2026 to get a free Headwind Smart Fan (value $300) with the purchase of a Wahoo KICKR RUN at https://shorturl.at/WVhdr Join us at Feisty Fest September 18-20, 2026: https://www.wetravel.com/trips/feistyfest-feisty-media-1943243299#about-this-trip Join the Feisty Strong STRONG Club: https://feisty.co/training/strong-club/ and use code:  HITPLAY15 to save 15% Sign up for our FREE Feisty 40+ newsletter: https://feisty.co/feisty-40/ Learn More about our 2026 Feisty Events, including Bike Camps and Cycling Trips: https://feisty.co/events/ Follow Us on Instagram: Feisty Menopause: @feistymenopause Hit Play Not Pause Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/807943973376099 Register for the Outspoken Summit November 11-13th at https://www.womensperformance.com/outspoken

  • Aug 24, 2022 · 1 hr 14 min

    Saving Your Heart with Martha Gulati, MD (Episode 94)

    The only thing women tend to do better than men after having a heart attack is die. That’s a sobering mic drop. It’s also a fact and one that this week’s guest Dr. Martha Gulati is making her life’s work to change. We dive into the special heart disease risk factors women, especially menopausal women face, even if they’re active and fit, what you need to know about your cardiovascular health, and how to prioritize your heart health and cardiovascular care. Dr. Gulati is the President of the American Society for Preventive Cardiology and the author of the best-seller, “Saving Women’s Hearts”. She is the principal investigator of the St. James Women Take Heart Project, a study examining cardiac risk factors in women, which set standards for women’s fitness levels and heart rate response to exercise in women. She also is a co-investigator on the Women Ischemic Syndrome Evaluation (WISE) and previously served as a co-investigator on the Women’s Health Initiative (WHI). She has published articles in peer-reviewed publications, including The New England Journal of Medicine, Circulation, and Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA). She has also been featured on Oprah. Her practice is exclusively women, including many active women and she is a runner herself. You can learn more about her and her work at https://drmarthagulati.com/ You can find the MHT and cardiovascular research referenced in the intro here. Support our Partners: Midi Health: You Deserve to Feel Great. Book your virtual visit today at https://www.joinmidi.com/ Previnex: Get 20% off your order with code FEISTYBRAIN at https://www.previnex.com/ Wahoo: Use the code FEISTY2026 to get a free Headwind Smart Fan (value $300) with the purchase of a Wahoo KICKR RUN at https://shorturl.at/WVhdr Join us at Feisty Fest September 18-20, 2026: https://www.wetravel.com/trips/feistyfest-feisty-media-1943243299#about-this-trip Join the Feisty Strong STRONG Club: https://feisty.co/training/strong-club/ and use code:  HITPLAY15 to save 15% Sign up for our FREE Feisty 40+ newsletter: https://feisty.co/feisty-40/ Learn More about our 2026 Feisty Events, including Bike Camps and Cycling Trips: https://feisty.co/events/ Follow Us on Instagram: Feisty Menopause: @feistymenopause Hit Play Not Pause Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/807943973376099

  • Aug 17, 2022 · 50 min

    Innovations that are Making Menopause Better with Alyssa Dweck, MD (Episode 93)

    From femtech apps to menopause telehealth, tracking rings to cooling bracelets, and even cryotech surgical services designed to prolong ovarian function, menopause is having a moment in innovation and enterprise. This week we dig into it with Alyssa Dweck, MD, FACOG, who is an avid runner as well as a consultant, key opinion leader (KOL), and medical advisor in the women’s health device, pharmaceutical, product, and medico-legal industry. Dr. Dweck is a practicing gynecologist in New York where she provides care to women of all ages and has special interest and expertise in female sexual health and medical sex therapy. She is also an Adjunct Assistant Professor of Obstetrics & Gynecology at New York Medical College, the co-author of three books, including the newest release The Complete A to Z for Your V, ​​and is the founding chief medical officer at Bonafide. You can learn more about her and her work at https://drdweck.com/ Support our Partners: Midi Health: You Deserve to Feel Great. Book your virtual visit today at https://www.joinmidi.com/ Previnex: Get 20% off your order with code FEISTYBRAIN at https://www.previnex.com/ Wahoo: Use the code FEISTY2026 to get a free Headwind Smart Fan (value $300) with the purchase of a Wahoo KICKR RUN at https://shorturl.at/WVhdr Join us at Feisty Fest September 18-20, 2026: https://www.wetravel.com/trips/feistyfest-feisty-media-1943243299#about-this-trip Join the Feisty Strong STRONG Club: https://feisty.co/training/strong-club/ and use code:  HITPLAY15 to save 15% Sign up for our FREE Feisty 40+ newsletter: https://feisty.co/feisty-40/ Learn More about our 2026 Feisty Events, including Bike Camps and Cycling Trips: https://feisty.co/events/ Follow Us on Instagram: Feisty Menopause: @feistymenopause Hit Play Not Pause Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/807943973376099

  • Aug 10, 2022 · 1 hr 8 min

    The Challenges of Surgical and Early Menopause with Corinne Menn, MD (Episode 92)

    One in eight women will have their ovaries removed before the natural age of menopause. Five percent of women naturally go through early menopause between the ages of 40 and 45, and 1 percent experience premature menopause before age 40. That’s a lot of women. And a large percentage of these women are not getting the counseling they need to optimize their well-being and long-term health, says menopause management specialist Corinne Menn, MD. This week she’s here to help as we dive into the unique challenges of surgical and early menopause and what women need to know. Dr. Menn is a board certified OB/GYN with expertise and a special interest in menopause management and female cancer survivorship health. She is a 20-year survivor of breast cancer and has a passion for using her medical expertise and personal experience to help women navigate these complex health issues. She is an active contributor and volunteer with the Young Survival Coalition, serves on their Council of Advisors, and moderates the Healthcare Provider-Survivor Support Group. Dr. Menn is also an active member of the North American Menopause Society and a Certified Menopause Practitioner. She devotes her professional time to her female-focused telehealth practice and is working on a website and blog chronicling her experience as a doctor and survivor of breast cancer, premature menopause, and everything in between! You can learn more about her at https://linktr.ee/drmennobgyn Resources: Instant Help for Induced Menopause NAMS 2022 HT Position Statement NAMS Patient Handout “Deciding about HT POI: Beyond the Basics Support our Partners: Midi Health: You Deserve to Feel Great. Book your virtual visit today at https://www.joinmidi.com/ Previnex: Get 20% off your order with code FEISTYBRAIN at https://www.previnex.com/ Wahoo: Use the code FEISTY2026 to get a free Headwind Smart Fan (value $300) with the purchase of a Wahoo KICKR RUN at https://shorturl.at/WVhdr Join us at Feisty Fest September 18-20, 2026: https://www.wetravel.com/trips/feistyfest-feisty-media-1943243299#about-this-trip Join the Feisty Strong STRONG Club: https://feisty.co/training/strong-club/ and use code:  HITPLAY15 to save 15% Sign up for our FREE Feisty 40+ newsletter: https://feisty.co/feisty-40/ Learn More about our 2026 Feisty Events, including Bike Camps and Cycling Trips: https://feisty.co/events/ Follow Us on Instagram: Feisty Menopause: @feistymenopause Hit Play Not Pause Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/807943973376099

  • Jul 27, 2022 · 38 min

    IX: Turning up the Volume with Joan Cronan

    Hit Play Not Pause is on a quick summer break during the weeks of July 18th and 25th, 2022. While we're out, we are excited to share two episodes from Feisty Media's excellent limited Title IX series. Not to pick favorites, but here at Feisty - this is definitely a favorite. With almost 50 years of experience as an athletic director and inductions into seven different halls of fame, Joan Cronan has A LOT to say about Title IX and gender equity in sport. Graduating college in 1966, Joan was part of intercollegiate sports before women had the federal right to equally compete. This week, our co-host of Girls Gone Gravel, Kathryn Taylor, interviews Joan and asks her about what she calls "her journey." Joan shares the story of her life so far, beginning at the age of twelve when she decided she was going to create change for women in athletics. To do so, in 1972 Joan made a cold call to the president of the College of Charleston and left his office as the women's basketball coach, volleyball coach, tennis coach and overall athletic director. From there, she made innumerable changes to women's athletics that will forever go down in history. If that isn't feisty, what is? Support our Partners: Midi Health: You Deserve to Feel Great. Book your virtual visit today at https://www.joinmidi.com/ Previnex: Get 20% off your order with code FEISTYBRAIN at https://www.previnex.com/ Wahoo: Use the code FEISTY2026 to get a free Headwind Smart Fan (value $300) with the purchase of a Wahoo KICKR RUN at https://shorturl.at/WVhdr Join us at Feisty Fest September 18-20, 2026: https://www.wetravel.com/trips/feistyfest-feisty-media-1943243299#about-this-trip Join the Feisty Strong STRONG Club: https://feisty.co/training/strong-club/ and use code:  HITPLAY15 to save 15% Sign up for our FREE Feisty 40+ newsletter: https://feisty.co/feisty-40/ Learn More about our 2026 Feisty Events, including Bike Camps and Cycling Trips: https://feisty.co/events/ Follow Us on Instagram: Feisty Menopause: @feistymenopause Hit Play Not Pause Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/807943973376099

  • Jul 20, 2022 · 51 min

    IX: Changing the Game with Wendy Mink

    Hit Play Not Pause is on a quick summer break during the weeks of July 18th and 25th, 2022. While we're out, we are excited to share two episodes from Feisty Media's excellent limited Title IX series. This week, Haley Chura - co-host of Ironwomen - interviews the renowned Wendy Mink. Wendy is a professor of politics, women's and gender studies, as well as the daughter of the very first woman of color in congress - Patsy Mink. Patsy was the co-author of the Title IX legislation and paved the way for women's participation in sports. Wendy shares her mother's journey and the reasons that prompted her to fight for change. Haley and Wendy discuss what Title IX was created for, and they give us the groundwork for the rest of the series. Click here to purchase a copy of Wendy's new book! Support our Partners: Midi Health: You Deserve to Feel Great. Book your virtual visit today at https://www.joinmidi.com/ Previnex: Get 20% off your order with code FEISTYBRAIN at https://www.previnex.com/ Wahoo: Use the code FEISTY2026 to get a free Headwind Smart Fan (value $300) with the purchase of a Wahoo KICKR RUN at https://shorturl.at/WVhdr Join us at Feisty Fest September 18-20, 2026: https://www.wetravel.com/trips/feistyfest-feisty-media-1943243299#about-this-trip Join the Feisty Strong STRONG Club: https://feisty.co/training/strong-club/ and use code:  HITPLAY15 to save 15% Sign up for our FREE Feisty 40+ newsletter: https://feisty.co/feisty-40/ Learn More about our 2026 Feisty Events, including Bike Camps and Cycling Trips: https://feisty.co/events/ Follow Us on Instagram: Feisty Menopause: @feistymenopause Hit Play Not Pause Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/807943973376099

  • Jul 13, 2022 · 49 min

    Muscle and Ligament Strength in Menopause with Kathryn Ackerman, MD, MPH (Episode 90)

    If you’re feeling more injury prone, you’re not alone. Many women who have led active, athletic lives without a lot of injuries and “itises” suddenly find themselves sidelined more often during the menopause transition. Fluctuating and declining hormone levels directly impact your musculoskeletal system, as do your lifelong movement patterns, exercise habits, recovery practices, and nutrition–all of which become increasingly important during this time of life. This week’s guest, sports medicine physician and endocrinologist Kathryn Ackerman, MD, MPH, dives into what we know, what we’ve yet to learn, and what we should be doing right now to dial it all in to stay strong through menopause and beyond. Kathryn is the medical director of the Female Athlete Program in the Sports Medicine Division at Boston Children's Hospital. Her interests include female athletes, rowing injuries, endocrinology, relative energy deficiency in sport (RED-S), optimizing performance and health in athletes with diabetes, exercise-associated hyponatremia, and exercise and bone health. She is also a former national team lightweight rower, chair of the US Rowing Medical Commission, member of the World Rowing Medical Commission, and the course director for the Female Athlete Conference, held biennially at Boston Children's Hospital. You can learn more about her here and the paper she references on the Effect of Estrogen on Musculoskeletal Performance and Injury Risk by Keith Barr here. Support our Partners: Midi Health: You Deserve to Feel Great. Book your virtual visit today at https://www.joinmidi.com/ Previnex: Get 20% off your order with code FEISTYBRAIN at https://www.previnex.com/ Wahoo: Use the code FEISTY2026 to get a free Headwind Smart Fan (value $300) with the purchase of a Wahoo KICKR RUN at https://shorturl.at/WVhdr Join us at Feisty Fest September 18-20, 2026: https://www.wetravel.com/trips/feistyfest-feisty-media-1943243299#about-this-trip Join the Feisty Strong STRONG Club: https://feisty.co/training/strong-club/ and use code:  HITPLAY15 to save 15% Sign up for our FREE Feisty 40+ newsletter: https://feisty.co/feisty-40/ Learn More about our 2026 Feisty Events, including Bike Camps and Cycling Trips: https://feisty.co/events/ Follow Us on Instagram: Feisty Menopause: @feistymenopause Hit Play Not Pause Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/807943973376099

  • Jul 6, 2022 · 58 min

    Menopause Lessons from the Mountains with Jeannette McGill (Episode 89)

    Women often stop going to the high mountains when they reach menopause. The reasons why–hot flashes, unpredictable periods, anxiety, and fear, to name a few–will resonate with all of us, whether or not we ever step foot above sea level. This week’s guest, high altitude mountaineer Jeannette McGill is currently navigating the menopause transition herself and is determined to help women manage their menopausal symptoms and continue their journey of exploration in the outdoors and beyond. Jeannette is the first South African woman to summit Manaslu and the first-ever South African to climb Dhaulagiri - two of the 14 8,000-meter (26,000 feet) mountains in the world. She is passionate about supporting others to achieve their outdoor goals through her mountain mentoring and leads bespoke adventures in the Australian Alps and Nepal. Her portfolio career also includes industrial technology management, and she has a PhD from the Colorado School of Mines. You can learn more about her and her work as a mentor and guide at https://www.mcgillsmountains.com/ Support our Partners: Midi Health: You Deserve to Feel Great. Book your virtual visit today at https://www.joinmidi.com/ Previnex: Get 20% off your order with code FEISTYBRAIN at https://www.previnex.com/ Wahoo: Use the code FEISTY2026 to get a free Headwind Smart Fan (value $300) with the purchase of a Wahoo KICKR RUN at https://shorturl.at/WVhdr Join us at Feisty Fest September 18-20, 2026: https://www.wetravel.com/trips/feistyfest-feisty-media-1943243299#about-this-trip Join the Feisty Strong STRONG Club: https://feisty.co/training/strong-club/ and use code:  HITPLAY15 to save 15% Sign up for our FREE Feisty 40+ newsletter: https://feisty.co/feisty-40/ Learn More about our 2026 Feisty Events, including Bike Camps and Cycling Trips: https://feisty.co/events/ Follow Us on Instagram: Feisty Menopause: @feistymenopause Hit Play Not Pause Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/807943973376099

  • Jun 29, 2022 · 59 min

    The Obstacle is Her Way with Laura McElduff (Episode 88)

    The menopause transition can throw a lot of obstacles in your path. Training for and participating in obstacle course races can help you overcome them both physically and mentally, as you lift heavy loads, strengthen your grip, and hone your mental toughness and problem-solving skills. Plus, it’s super fun, says this week’s guest, obstacle course race enthusiast Laura McElduff, 52, who credits obstacle course racing with helping her get through perimenopause. Since completing her first obstacle course race in 2012 at age 42, Laura has competed at every distance from 3K to 50K ultras, raced in Canada and UAE and throughout the USA, placed top 10 in the F50-54 age group in the 2021 Spartan North American Championship and in the 2021 Spartan World Championship in Abu Dhabi, UAE. She is the mom of a young adult daughter and son and is vice president of a fragrance company in New Jersey. You can follow her OCR adventures on Instagram. Support our Partners: Midi Health: You Deserve to Feel Great. Book your virtual visit today at https://www.joinmidi.com/ Previnex: Get 20% off your order with code FEISTYBRAIN at https://www.previnex.com/ Wahoo: Use the code FEISTY2026 to get a free Headwind Smart Fan (value $300) with the purchase of a Wahoo KICKR RUN at https://shorturl.at/WVhdr Join us at Feisty Fest September 18-20, 2026: https://www.wetravel.com/trips/feistyfest-feisty-media-1943243299#about-this-trip Join the Feisty Strong STRONG Club: https://feisty.co/training/strong-club/ and use code:  HITPLAY15 to save 15% Sign up for our FREE Feisty 40+ newsletter: https://feisty.co/feisty-40/ Learn More about our 2026 Feisty Events, including Bike Camps and Cycling Trips: https://feisty.co/events/ Follow Us on Instagram: Feisty Menopause: @feistymenopause Hit Play Not Pause Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/807943973376099