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.

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313 episodes
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Episodes313

Newest first

Jun 22, 2022 · 1 hr 15 min
Better Brain Health with Louisa Nicola (Episode 87)
As active women, we train our strength and our endurance. But we don’t clean that barbell, we don’t cross that finish line, we literally don’t accomplish anything in life without first having the mental ability that comes from our brain. And as we age, our brains become vulnerable to decline. They physically change during the menopause transition, as our hormones fluctuate and taper off. But there is no point in time that we can’t take concrete action to build a stronger, better functioning brain, which is where this week’s guest, neurophysiologist Louisa Nicola comes in. We talk all about brain health, brain training, and how to maintain your mental acuity for life. Louisa is the founder, head performance advisor, and CEO of Neuro Athletics, a company designed to optimize mental performance and to help educate, train and unlock human performance through science and data. She consults with some of the biggest names in the NBA and MLB and sits on the scientific advisory board for Tonal. Louisa was a world championship triathlete and raced both nationally and internationally for Australia and competed at London, Beijing and Auckland. After retiring in 2012 Louisa followed her dreams and went to Sydney Medical school for neurophysiology. You can learn more about her and follow her work via Instagram, her Neuro Athletics Newsletter, and her The Neuro Experience Podcast. Check out the research on adult neurogenesis here. And the ketone research 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
Jun 15, 2022 · 1 hr 24 min
Oh, Baby! with Liz Carlson (Episode 86)
As women are living longer, pursuing higher education, and chasing athletic goals well into midlife, the decision if, when, or even how to have a baby has become increasingly complex, because the old formula of graduate, get married, have kids just doesn’t work the way it used to. So this week’s guest, Liz Carlson, created her own formula and after her decades-long pursuit of professional and athletic excellence, had her first baby at 43 and her second last year at age 52. Liz is a former elite bike racer who was setting records and pushing U.S. women’s track cycling to the next level at an age when most track cyclists have long retired or hit the master’s circuit. She made the first-round cuts for the 2008 Olympic team in her late 30s, made the U.S. team again at age 41 and pursued a spot for the women’s team sprint at the 2012 Olympics. The Olympic dream wouldn’t come to fruition, but she broke records and discovered hidden talents and learned life lessons that stick with her to this day. You can read about that journey here. We talk about how our upbringing and adult life trajectory was affected by Title IX and the women’s movement of the 70s and (of course) menopause and what it’s like to have a baby in your fifties! 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 8, 2022 · 1 hr 25 min
Hot Flashes, Cold Plunges & Pushing the Limits in Perimenopause with George Gilbert (Episode 85)
Breaking a sweat is generally a good thing–a sign of healthy exertion–unless you’re working out in temperatures more suited to penguins than people. In those conditions, it can quickly lead to hypothermia, frostbite…or worse. So how does a perimenopausal woman (hello, hot flashes) make a 1,130 kilometer trek across Antarctica while pulling a 175-pound sled? That’s exactly what this week’s guest George Gilbert, co-founder and team leader of the Antarctic Fire Angels, a team of 5 female firefighters who are on a mission to ski to the south pole to raise money for charity and to show women that they are limitless, is in the process of finding out. We talk all about how she handled her first hot flash, persistent low moods, erratic periods, and other perimenopausal issues, as well as her adventures in underwater hockey, mountaineering, firefighting, and more. George has been a firefighter for over 22 years and currently serves with South Wales Fire and Rescue service. She is an ambassador for gender equality and has an ambition to see more women striving to do whatever job they want to do in life; always ensuring she is visible as a role model for girls, young women, and women who are experiencing peri menopause and menopause who may be considering a career that doesn’t fit society’s gender stereotypes. You can learn more about her and follow and support the Antarctic Fire Angels mission at https://antarcticfireangels.co.uk/ Follow them here on Instagram to see photos of their training, including cold plunges and more. 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 1, 2022 · 1 hr 11 min
Build a Better Body Image Toolbox with Maria Luque, PhD (Episode 84)
The menopause transition can leave a minefield of body image issues in its wake. Some research shows that as few as 12 percent of us are satisfied with our bodies at this time of life. That’s a problem, as poor body image is also linked to mental health issues like depression. We can’t wave a magic wand and make them go away, but we can equip ourselves with tools to make them a whole lot better. This week we build that toolbox with menopause fitness expert Maria Luque, PhD. Maria is a fitness expert, health science professor, writer, and self-described menopause nerd with over 20 years of experience. She’s the creator of Fitness in Menopause, a company dedicated to helping women navigate the challenges and rewards of menopause. Her course “Menopausal Fitness: Training the Menopausal Client” is a NASM, AFAA, and ACE- accredited continuing education course for fitness professionals. She holds graduate and post-graduate degrees in health sciences and teaches at the College of Health and Human Services at TUI. You can learn more about Maria and her work at https://www.fitnessinmenopause.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
May 25, 2022 · 1 hr
Menopause Watts with Karen Duff (Episode 83)
Hot flashes. Sleepless nights. Mood swings. Divorce. The challenges of menopause and midlife came raining down on this week’s guest, Karen Duff, just a few years after she’d taken up mountain biking and was ascending the ranks quickly with her sights set on world-class competitions. She shares how she persevered through training, racing, and community and ended up getting 2nd place in the women’s division at Israel Epic mountain bike stage race the year she turned 50, and 2nd in her age group at the British Columbia Bike Race at 52. In addition to her racing, Karen is a personal training specialist, a certified mountain bike and skills and tactics instructor, and a brand ambassador for Specialized, Skratch Labs, and 9Point8. Karen is passionate about helping women thrive during the changes associated with menopause. Her workout programs include HIIT, weights, and core, along with guidance and support to help her clients maintain sanity and strength and reach the summit of the menopausal mountain while enjoying the ride. You can learn more about Karen and her work at her training business’ website: www.Fit4Adventure.ca 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
May 18, 2022 · 1 hr 18 min
Vaginas, Vulvas, and Pelvic Organ Prolapse with Kathleen Connell, MD (Episode 82)
Your pelvis changes during menopause–inside and out. The vaginal and vulvar tissues become thinner; the pH and microbiome in your vagina can shift; and the scaffolding that supports your pelvic organs can weaken, increasing your risk for pelvic organ prolapse. There’s help for all of that, so you can continue running, riding, lifting, having sex, and enjoying an active life free from pain, infection, and injury. We talk about all that and more this week with urogynecologist Kathleen Connell, MD. Kathleen is chief of Urogynecology and Reconstructive Pelvic Surgery in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at the University of Colorado School of Medicine. She is the co-director of Women’s Pelvic Health and Surgery, a multidisciplinary practice at the Anschutz Medical Campus. Her surgical practice focuses on pelvic floor disorders including pelvic organ prolapse, urinary and fecal incontinence, and reconstructive pelvic surgery. She has done research on genital health and bicycling and genital health and saddle selection. You can learn more about her and her work at CU School of Medicine. 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
May 11, 2022 · 43 min
Next Level Menopause with Dr. Stacy Sims (Episode 81)
Menopause is not the end of the line. It is not a “deficiency.” It’s a transition to the next phase of your life–a phase that can be positive, empowering, and powerful. But first, we need to understand what menopause really is; what is happening hormonally during this time, and how it is affecting literally every cell in our bodies. That’s where Dr. Stacy Sims and her upcoming book Next Level: Your Guide to Kicking Ass, Feeling Great, and Crushing Goals through Menopause and Beyond comes in. Next Level shines a light on every aspect of menopause and helps performance-minded women work with their changing physiology to optimize performance. We talk about Stacy’s goals for this book to create an active, positive menopause movement and how we can all foster an empowering culture so menopausal women can keep stepping up to starting lines, trying new things, and thriving in their lives. Stacy T Sims, Ph.D., is an international exercise physiologist and nutrition scientist who aims to revolutionize exercise nutrition and performance for women. She has directed research programs at Stanford, AUT University, and the University of Waikato, focusing on female athlete health and performance. Her first book, ROAR, challenged the existing dogma for women in exercise, nutrition, and health. This paradigm shift is the focus of her famous "Women Are Not Small Men” TEDx talk. She is the creator of the popular Menopause for Athletes course and author of Next Level. You can learn more about the book and pre-order a copy at www.feistymenopause.com/nextlevelbonus 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
May 4, 2022 · 1 hr 15 min
Massage in Menopause - Finding a Safe Space with Rosemarie Rotenberger (Episode 80)
Your muscles and connective tissues can get “stickier” and feel stiffer during the menopause transition, and you can find yourself with more aches and pains and niggles than you had before. Massage therapy can help with that. But the benefits don’t end with your muscles. Massage is also good for the menopausal mind. It activates your parasympathetic nervous system to lower cortisol and anxiety. It also can provide a safe space for you to release past trauma, reconnect your physical and emotional self, and let your body rest in a totally safe environment. We talk all that and more this week with massage therapist Rosemarie Rotenberger. Rosemarie is a Licensed Massage Therapist for 22 years. Her Olympic and World Champion clients span several continents and have competed in every summer Olympics since 2004. She has crewed for the Race Across America (RAAM) record holding team twice. Her work engages both the physical and emotional challenges of higher level sport. She has taught in both entry level and advanced orthopedic massage programs and served on national advisory boards. 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
Apr 27, 2022 · 1 hr 2 min
How to Start Lifting Heavy Sh*t & More with Kerry Ann Madden (Episode 79)
We know lifting heavy, doing plyometrics, and adding intensity to our routines help us stay strong and powerful as our bodies change during the menopause transition. But where do we start? What if we can’t jump? How do we lift heavy if we don’t have heavy weights? Longtime trainer and now one of the leaders of the Menopause for Athletes Alumni group, Kerry Ann Madden digs into the nuts and bolts of getting started, whether you’re self-coaching or working with clients. Kerry Ann is the creator and owner of KAM Fitness and Nutrition. She is a weight-inclusive NASM Master Trainer, a Precision Nutrition Certified Coach, a Corrective Exercise Specialist, and a MedFit Network Member. She has completed Dr. Stacy Sims Menopause for Athletes course and puts her expertise to use with her clients who are in the menopause transition. You can learn more about Kerry Ann and her work at kamfitnessandnutrition.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
Apr 20, 2022 · 1 hr 11 min
Do You Need Hormone Therapy? with Carla DiGirolamo, M.D., Ph.D. (Episode 78)
In the year and a half since we started this podcast, many women have gone from being afraid to take hormone therapy to being afraid not to take hormone therapy, as some in the menopause field are saying that menopause is really a “hormone deficiency” and we can’t age well without it. This week we dive in on what hormone therapy is; what it can do (especially for performance and health); what it can’t do, and what we’re still learning about all of it with Dr. Carla DiGirolamo. Carla is a Double Board Certified Reproductive Endocrinologist and Obstetrician/Gynecologist specializing in infertility and menopausal medicine. She is also a Crossfit Level 1 trainer, Certified Nutrition Coach, and member of CrossFit Health. She runs an online personal training and nutrition coaching business, FitforLifeMD, specializing in the care of women in all age groups, but with a special interest in the comprehensive care of peri/postmenopausal women. She also writes a regular blog on Athletic Aging. Carla has the distinction of being the only repeat (and now threepeat!) guest on Hit Play Not Pause. 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
Apr 13, 2022 · 1 hr 8 min
Rewilding Menopause with Kirsten Lewis (Episode 77)
Kirsten Lewis, at the age of 57, just ran her fastest 5K time–post-menopause, less than two years after she was ready to hang up her racing shoes and walk away from it all while in the throes of the menopause transition. She credits feeling stronger, happier, more grounded, and winning her age group in recent sprint and Olympic distance triathlons to the process of “rewilding menopause”: going back to the roots of what it means to be a woman in menopause; going back to her own roots; and stepping into her power. Now she wants to share her “shero's journey” with others who are feeling like menopause is the end of the line for their athletic lives. Kirsten is a former Wall Street executive, a triathlete, and triathlon coach. She has a degree in photojournalism and is now using her words and images to tell her story of how rewilding has guided her to thrive. She is making it her mission to help women in midlife and beyond step into their personal power and create their new possible. You can learn more about her and her work at https://kl.life/ and 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
Apr 6, 2022 · 1 hr 6 min
Keto, Fasting, Food Phobia & the Un-Dieting of Menopause with Jenn Salib Huber, RD, ND (Episode 76)
If you’re a woman, someone somewhere has a diet to sell you. If you’re a menopausal woman, that diet is likely to paint carbs as the root of all your woes–and the elimination or restriction of them as your midlife salvation. This week we sat down with dietitian and “undiet” advocate Jenn Salib Huber, RD, ND, to dive into the ketogenic diet, intermittent fasting, food phobia, and how diets can have unintended negative health consequences and fuel our food obsession rather than set us free. Jenn is a Canadian registered dietitian, naturopathic doctor, and Intuitive Eating coach. She helps women navigate the physical and emotional changes that happen in perimenopause and menopause, including their search for food freedom and body confidence. She’s also the host of 'The Midlife Feast' podcast and runs a group support program called Beyond The Scale, which helps women "undiet" their lives after 40 so they can nourish a relationship with food that helps them discover the magic of midlife. You can find her at JennSalibHuber.ca 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
Mar 30, 2022 · 1 hr 14 min
Why You Need Barbell Medicine with Cassi Niemann (Episode 75)
Whether you’re training for a tri, into CrossFit, or just want to be strong for life, barbells are the most effective way to get full-body strong in very little time. Barbell lifting also builds bone and muscle, improves stability and mobility, and makes you feel like a complete badass. This week we talk all about why barbells are the best training medicine and how to get started with coach and competitive strength and rowing athlete, Cassi Niemann. Cassi is a Barbell Medicine Coach and the lead UCanRow2 Master Rowing Instructor with Concept2. She has certifications as a Precision Nutrition Level 1 coach and as a Pregnancy & Postpartum Athleticism Coach. She trains clients online around the world and in-person at Iron Soul Gym in Albuquerque, New Mexico. She is also the co-host of More Female Strength Podcast. You can learn more about her at www.cassiniemann.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
Mar 23, 2022 · 57 min
The Eyes Have It with Christine Begley, OD (Episode 74)
Need glasses for the first time in your life? Contacts suddenly feel too tight? Are your eyes dry and itchy? Menopause and midlife can usher in a cascade of vision and eye health changes. Thankfully there are many ways you can sharpen your sight and keep your eyes healthy (and more comfortable!). We dig into all that and more with this week’s guest, Christine Begley, OD. Christine is an optometrist with Marion Eye Center in Carbondale, Illinois. She’s been treating eyes for more than 20 years and specializes in diagnosing, treating, and managing diseases, injuries, and disorders of the visual system, the eye, and associated structures as well as identifying related systemic conditions affecting the eye. She’s also a longtime listener of the show and wants to help us keep our eyes healthy and functioning well so we can keep enjoying our active pursuits. 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
Mar 16, 2022 · 57 min
The Joy of Rowing with Sarah Fuhrmann (Episode 73)
Dim the lights. Pour a drink. Light some candles. And get ready to…row! Yep, row. Indoor rowing can be an exercise in meditation, says this week’s guest and rowing aficionado, Sarah Fuhrmann. It also uses 86 percent of your muscles and can be an ass-kicking workout when you want it to be. This week we dive into the benefits of rowing, especially for women in the menopausal transition who need to HIIT it and chill out equally hard. Sarah is CEO of UCanRow2, which provides rowing workouts, training programs, and certification to exercisers and fitness professionals worldwide. The author of the bestselling 101 Best Rowing Workouts, she is passionate about creating a world of inclusive fitness where all bodies and all ages are welcome, and every meter matters. In addition to being a certified rowing instructor, she holds certifications with the Functional Aging Institute and Precision Nutrition. When not rowing on a machine or on the water, you're likely to find her playing in the snow - or just shoveling it - from her home in Michigan's snowy and scenic Upper Peninsula. You can find a sample of her workouts at "10 Ways to Kill 10k" 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
Mar 9, 2022 · 1 hr 1 min
Save Your Teeth with Dr. Julie Gallagher (Episode 72)
Even if you brush, floss, and get regular dental check-ups, if you’re like many athletes—especially those in the menopause transition—you may still struggle with tooth decay and oral health woes. That’s because both athletics and hormone decline can lead to conditions that set the stage for dental disease and mouth discomfort, both of which can put a damper on your performance (and your pocketbook). This week, we help save your smile with dental health expert and avid triathlete Dr. Julie Gallagher. Julie Gallagher, Ph.D., is an honorary research fellow at University College London, based at the Eastman Dental Institute Centre for Oral Health and Performance. Julie worked in clinical dental practice for more than 30 years before pursuing her interest in epidemiology and sport and embarking on a Ph.D. in 2014. Her Ph.D. project investigated oral health and its impact on performance of elite athletes. She was awarded her PhD in March 2020. She is looking forward to participating at Ironman Italy in September 2022 following its postponement from 2020. You can read more about her work and sports dentistry in the November 2021 British Dental Journal. 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
Mar 2, 2022 · 1 hr 6 min
All About Blood Sugar with Molly Downey, RDN (Episode 71)
Anyone who’s ever hit the wall at mile 19 of a marathon or fizzled out on a Fran at CrossFit, knows how important glucose (aka sugar) is for energy–both mentally and physically. As women in the menopause transition, we also know that managing generally healthy blood sugar levels can be more challenging as we can become more carbohydrate sensitive and insulin resistant as our hormones decline. This week, we dive into how to eat your carbs and manage your blood sugar, too with Molly Downey, RDN, LDN. Molly is a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN), Licensed Dietitian/Nutritionist (LDN) who specializes in glucose control, metabolism and weight loss. She graduated from Indiana University-Bloomington and currently works as a nutrition manager at Nutrisense, a health technology company which leverages continuous glucose monitors (CGMs) as a way to optimize diet, health and overall wellbeing. 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
Feb 23, 2022 · 1 hr 9 min
You Belong with Elizabeth Allen (Episode 70)
We all want to belong. That desire can increase during the menopause transition, when having a community to share experiences with helps us feel less alone. But making those connections isn’t always easy, especially when culture doesn’t include you. This week’s guest, long time athlete Elizabeth Allen, who identifies as a Black, plus-sized GenXer (who is also now firmly in the menopause transition) knows all about that. Elizabeth was recently honored as a “Change Maker in Cycling” by Stamina Racing Collective for helping change the cycling and larger outdoor industry to be more inclusive and welcoming to People of Color. We dive into that, as well as how women of different races experience menopause. Along with being the Associate Director of Organizational Development, Training, and Culture for the Valley Youth House for vulnerable, abused, and homeless youth, Elizabeth is a social media content creator specializing in outdoor activities and social media takeovers for gravel cycling events. She shares her outdoor adventures at Turtle Wandering on YouTube and Instagram. 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
Feb 16, 2022 · 57 min
You Are More than Your Body with Kaisa Keranen (Episode 69)
For far too long, many of us have defined ourselves (or worse our self worth) by the size of our thighs and the circumference of our waistline, setting ourselves up for a lifelong battle with our bodies and an underlying discontent with who we are based upon a largely unattainable “ideal.” That can get worse during the menopause transition when our body shape starts to shift. This week’s guest, Kaisa Keranen, AKA KaisaFit, is on a mission to change that. As she says: “What I look like does not define who I am as a woman and what I’m doing in this world.” Amen to that and all the wisdom she dishes out this week. Kaisa is a longtime athlete and has a Masters in Exercise Science, Sports Performance and Injury Prevention. She is the owner of KaisaFit, and has built a community of over 1 million people on Instagram. She has been featured in digital magazines including Vogue, Shape, SELF, Harper's Bazaar, Oxygen, and ESPNW. Kaisa was named by Greatist as one of the most influential people in health and fitness in 2015, the same year she was asked by Michelle Obama to be one of the go-to trainers for her “Let’s Move” digital campaign. You can find Kaisa on social media as KaisaFit where she educates, motivates, and empowers people to #JustMove. **Support the Podcast** InsideTracker: 20% off at insidetracker.com/feisty Nuun Hydration: 30% off at nuunlife.com with the code HITPLAY Previnex: 15% off your first order with code HITPLAY at https://www.previnex.com/ Bonafide: 20% off your first purchase when you subscribe to any product with code HITPLAY at https://hellobonafide.com/ Nutrisense: Use code "hitplay" at nutrisense.io/hitplay for $30 off any subscription to the CGM program
Feb 9, 2022 · 1 hr 2 min
March to Your Own Drummer with Jennifer Maxwell (Episode 68)
Sometimes life sidelines us, knocking us off the path we thought we’d be on forever, or at least for the foreseeable future. Menopause can certainly trip us up. But so can many other random, sometimes terrible, events we never saw coming. And sometimes we end up contending with all of it. This week’s guest, Jennifer Maxwell, knows all about that and talks about how she has maintained her athleticism, passion, and profession while raising six kids after losing her husband unexpectedly. Jennifer is a nutritionist, food scientist, and the co-founder of the original energy bar, PowerBar along with her late husband Brian. She is currently the CEO and founder of JAM Foods, the maker of JAMBAR energy bars. She is also a competitive runner, the mother of six children, and an accomplished drummer who performs in two San Francisco Bay Area bands. You can learn more about her and her work with JAM Foods at jambar.com. **Support the Podcast** InsideTracker: 20% off at insidetracker.com/feisty Nuun Hydration: 30% off at nuunlife.com with the code HITPLAY Previnex: 15% off your first order with code HITPLAY at https://www.previnex.com/ Bonafide: 20% off your first purchase when you subscribe to any product with code HITPLAY at https://hellobonafide.com/ Nutrisense: Use code "hitplay" at nutrisense.io/hitplay for $30 off any subscription to the CGM program