In this episode, I had the pleasure of chatting with Tony Horton, the legendary creator of P90X, a workout program that has transformed countless lives. Tony's journey is nothing short of inspiring, especially for women navigating the unique challenges of life after 40. At 65, Tony's commitment to fitness and personal growth is evident in every story he shares and the actionable advice he offers.

Tony's path to becoming a fitness icon had its challenges. He candidly talks about overcoming personal and professional obstacles, including moments of self-doubt and the pressures of sustaining a career in an ever-evolving industry. His experiences resonate deeply with anyone who's had to pivot and adapt, particularly as we age and our bodies demand different approaches to health and wellness. One key takeaway from our conversation is the importance of variety and listening to your body, especially as women experience hormonal changes during perimenopause and postmenopause.

We delved into Tony's collaboration with Dr. Mindy Pelz, who helped tailor his rigorous P90X program to better suit women's hormonal cycles. This adaptation underscores a crucial lesson: one size does not fit all, and understanding your body's needs can lead to more effective and sustainable fitness routines. Tony's emphasis on modifying workouts to prevent burnout and promote long-term health is invaluable advice for anyone, but particularly for women striving to maintain their vitality and strength as they age.

Tony's stories of working with celebrities and even military personnel highlight his broad impact and the universal appeal of his fitness philosophies. Yet, it's his personal anecdotes and genuine passion for helping others that truly stand out. As he puts it, "Failing is awesome. If you're paying attention, you're learning. And if you're learning, you're growing and transforming." This mindset is a powerful reminder that every setback is an opportunity for growth, a message that will resonate with anyone facing the inevitable ups and downs of life.

I invite you to listen to the full episode to soak in more of Tony's wisdom and practical tips. His insights are sure to inspire you to embrace a more mindful, varied approach to fitness and personal development. Tune in and let Tony Horton's journey motivate you to take charge of your health and well-being, no matter your age.

FULL show notes: https://www.jjvirgin.com/horton

What Women Over 40 Need to Know About Fasting and Hormones with Dr. Mindy Pelz https://jjvirgin.com/main-podcast/what-women-over-40-need-to-know-about-fasting-and-hormones-with-dr-mindy-pelz-ep-595/

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Get Tony’s FREE PDF: The Women's Guide to Syncing Fitness to Your Hormone Cycle

Are you putting in the effort but not seeing the results you deserve? In today’s episode, we’re diving into the common pitfalls that might be sabotaging your fat-loss journey. It’s not your fault! Some surprisingly simple, yet often overlooked, mistakes can trip up your progress.

First off, are you getting enough of the right nutrients? Many of us don’t realize that during caloric restriction, adequate amounts of certain macronutrients are crucial for keeping hunger at bay and preserving muscle mass.

Another biggie is activity level. When you cut calories, your body naturally tries to conserve energy, leading to decreased movement. This can significantly impact your fat-loss efforts. I’ll provide practical tips on how to keep your activity levels up throughout the day, even incorporating simple changes like standing more or taking walking meetings.

We’ll also touch on the importance of hydration, resistance training, and accurately tracking your food intake. I’ve got you covered with actionable steps to ensure you stay hydrated, build muscle, and keep your metabolism revved up.

Join me for a deep dive into these five critical mistakes and learn how to avoid them for optimal fat loss. Let’s transform those struggles into successes together.

FULL show notes: https://www.jjvirgin.com/5mistakes

7-Day Eat Protein First Challenge: http://jjvirgin.com/proteinfirst

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Track your protein & macros with Cronometer App: jjvirgin.com/cronometer

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Download my FREE Protein Cheat Sheet: jjvirgin.com/proteincs

Download my free Resistance Training Cheat Sheet: https://jjvirgin.com/resistance

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Study: A Reduced Ratio of Dietary Carbohydrate to Protein Improves Body Composition and Blood Lipid Profiles during Weight Loss in Adult Women: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0022316622156166

Study: Impact of calorie restriction on energy metabolism in humans: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9036397/

Study: It's the size of the meal, not the size of the person, that determines how people underestimate calories, Cornell study finds: https://news.cornell.edu/stories/2006/11/bigger-meal-more-we-underestimate-its-calories

Study: Why We Underestimate What We Eat: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/health-and-human-nature/202107/why-we-underestimate-what-we-eat#:~:text=Most%20people%20underreport%20how%20much,consumed%20and%20feelings%20of%20fullness

Episode Sponsors:

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Go to qualialife.com/VIRGINWELLNESS now to try Qualia Senolytic backed by a 100 day money back guarantee, and use promo code VIRGINWELLNESS to get 15% off!

In this insightful episode, Dr. Elena Zinkov takes listeners on her personal journey through early perimenopause, hormone imbalance, and postpartum autoimmune challenges. She shares how these experiences motivated her to explore holistic solutions for women's health beyond traditional approaches.

Dr. Zinkov dives deep into the long-term impact of birth control on women's health, shedding light on the often overlooked metabolic and cardiovascular risks. She empowers listeners to distinguish between stress-induced symptoms and the onset of perimenopause, while emphasizing the profound influence of stress and cortisol levels on hormone production.

The episode offers a wealth of practical wisdom, from addressing hormone imbalance naturally and through bioidentical hormone therapy, to diet and lifestyle recommendations that support using the minimum effective dose of hormones. Dr. Zinkov also highlights the importance of nutrient testing for women who have used birth control, introduces gentle remedies like wild yam, and explores the role of peptides and DEXA scans in managing menopausal symptoms and monitoring bone mass.

FULL show notes: https://www.jjvirgin.com/drelena

Learn more about Dr. Elena Zinkov: https://proactivehealthnd.com/

7-Day Eat Protein First Challenge: http://jjvirgin.com/proteinfirst

Order your own labs at YourLabWork: https://yourlabwork.com/jj-virgin/

Reignite Wellness™ Vitamin D Plus: https://reignitewellness.com/collections/all/products/vitamin-d-plus

Reignite Wellness™ Magnesium Body Calm: https://reignitewellness.com/products/magnesium-body-calm

Reignite Wellness™ Omega Plus: https://reignitewellness.com/collections/all/products/omega-plus

The Institute of Functional Medicine - Find a Practitioner: https://www.ifm.org/find-a-practitioner/

American Association of Naturopathic Physicians - Find a Doctor: https://naturopathic.org/search/custom.asp?id=5613

Episode Sponsors:

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Get Dr. Zinkov’s FREE Hormone Potential Foundations Guide

I'm thrilled to welcome the incredible Dr. Tabatha Barber, known as the Gutsy Gynecologist, to Well Beyond 40. Dr. Tabatha’s journey is nothing short of inspiring—she became a mother at 17, dropped out of high school, and overcame immense challenges to become a renowned medical doctor and functional gynecologist. Her story is a testament to perseverance and faith, offering a powerful message to women in their 40s and beyond who are navigating their own life transitions.

Dr. Tabatha shares her personal experience with menopause and how it has informed her compassionate approach to patient care. She emphasizes the importance of understanding hormone balance and addresses common myths and misconceptions about hormone replacement therapy (HRT). As someone who has treated thousands of patients and gone through menopause herself, Dr. Tabatha brings a wealth of real-world experience and practical advice. Her unique combination of conventional and functional medicine allows her to provide holistic care that truly meets the needs of women in midlife.

One key takeaway from our conversation is Dr. Tabatha’s emphasis on the critical role of estrogen in women's health. She debunks the long-standing fear surrounding HRT and highlights the significant benefits of hormone therapy, such as improved heart health, bone density, and overall vitality. Dr. Tabatha's insights are backed by her thorough understanding of medical research and her firsthand experience, making her advice both credible and relatable. A particularly powerful moment in our discussion is when Dr. Tabatha recounts her own sudden drop in estrogen levels and the profound impact it had on her mood and well-being. This personal story underscores the importance of recognizing and addressing hormonal changes with appropriate medical support, rather than resorting to antidepressants which can exacerbate symptoms.

For actionable advice and a deeper understanding of how to navigate hormonal changes during menopause, be sure to listen to the full episode.

FULL show notes: https://jjvirgin.com/drtabatha

Estrogen Matters by Avrum Bluming: https://amzn.to/3wVcmTK

YourLabwork: https://yourlabwork.com/jj-virgin/

ACOG: Postmenopausal Estrogen Therapy Route of Administration and Risk of Venous Thromboembolism: https://www.acog.org/clinical/clinical-guidance/committee-opinion/articles/2013/04/postmenopausal-estrogen-therapy-route-of-administration-and-risk-of-venous-thromboembolism

Get Dr. Barber’s FREE Guide: The Gutsy Gynecologist’s Guide to Balancing Your Hormones Naturally

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We're diving into one of the biggest myths in fitness: that you can't lose fat and build muscle at the same time. Spoiler alert—you absolutely can! In this episode, I’m breaking down the essentials of recomposition, a strategy that allows you to shed fat and gain muscle, even if you’re navigating the hormonal changes of perimenopause.

Join me as I reveal the five key components of successful recomping. We’ll start with the importance of protein intake and how to calculate the right amount for your target body weight. Discover why resistance training is your best friend in this journey, and how specific exercises can maximize your muscle gain. Plus, learn about the role of sugar impact, non-starchy vegetables, and healthy fats in your diet to help you achieve your fitness goals.

I'll also share practical tips on how to increase your daily movement, track your progress with the right tools, and use diet cycling to combat diet fatigue and keep your metabolism revving. From my personal struggles with fitness plateaus to the science-backed strategies that worked for me, this episode is packed with actionable advice that you won't want to miss.

FULL show notes: https://www.jjvirgin.com/recomping

7-Day Eat Protein First Challenge: http://jjvirgin.com/proteinfirst

Shop Oura Rings: https://ouraring.com/

Track your protein & macros with Cronometer App: jjvirgin.com/cronometer

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If you've ever wondered whether menopause affects your brain, you're in for a revelation. This week, I'm thrilled to welcome back Dr. Lisa Mosconi, an associate professor of neuroscience at Weill Cornell Medicine and the director of the Women's Brain Initiative. Dr. Mosconi has been pioneering groundbreaking research that images women’s brains before, during, and after menopause, uncovering the profound changes we experience and how we can support our brain health through it all.

Dr. Mosconi and I dive deep into the astonishing findings of her latest research, which is both enlightening and actionable. For the first time, we have solid scientific evidence that our brains do indeed change during menopause—and there are significant benefits to postmenopausal brains that you’ll definitely want to hear about. We discuss how hormone replacement therapy (HRT) impacts brain health and the exciting potential of new therapies that can stabilize brain function without increasing cancer risks.

We also explore the three major life phases that transform women's brains: puberty, pregnancy, and perimenopause. Dr. Mosconi explains how each stage involves a unique remodeling process that can impact our emotional and cognitive function. This information is empowering, providing you with the knowledge to better understand and manage these transitions.

For those of us navigating midlife and beyond, Dr. Mosconi shares practical strategies to protect and enhance our brain health. From diet and exercise to stress management and sleep hygiene, she offers clear, evidence-based advice that you can start implementing today. Whether you're in your 40s, 50s, or beyond, this episode is packed with insights that will help you thrive and embrace this powerful stage of life.

So join us as we uncover the incredible science behind the menopause brain, bust myths, and empower you with tools to ensure your brain remains sharp and vibrant for years to come. Don't miss out on this transformative conversation!

FULL show notes: https://www.jjvirgin.com/menopausebrain

Learn more about Dr. Lisa Mosconi: https://www.lisamosconi.com/

Buy Dr. Mosconi’s book, The Menopause Brain: https://themenopausebrain.com/

Follow Dr. Mosconi on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dr_mosconi/?hl=en

Dr. Mosconi interview - The Link Between Menopause and Alzheimer’s with Dr. Lisa Mosconi https://jjvirgin.com/main-podcast/the-link-between-menopause-and-alzheimers-with-dr-lisa-mosconi-ep-423/

As we get older, it's more important than ever to make smart choices about what we put into our bodies. Today, I’ll reveal the nine foods I rely on to keep my energy up, my muscles strong, and my skin looking youthful. And trust me, a few of these might surprise you!

We kick things off with fish, an absolute powerhouse when it comes to aging gracefully. You'll learn about the dual benefits of omega-3s and creatine found in fish, and how they support everything from brain health to skin elasticity. I also dive into the wonders of shellfish and taurine, and why you might want to start ordering that shrimp cocktail more often.

Next, we explore the magic of deep green leafies and berries, and their crucial role in methylation—a process essential for turning genes on and off and keeping our cells running smoothly. I share my favorite ways to sneak these superfoods into your daily meals effortlessly.

Cruciferous vegetables make an appearance too. I'll explain why you should be loading up on broccoli and cauliflower, especially if you want to help your liver detoxify your body and combat oxidative stress. And for those of you who haven't yet discovered the joys of fermented foods, I'll walk you through their benefits for gut health and beyond.

We'll wrap up by talking about bone broth and beets, two often overlooked but incredibly beneficial additions to your diet. From supporting joint health to boosting nitric oxide levels for better circulation, these foods can make a huge difference in how you feel and look as you age.

Tune in to learn how to incorporate these nine foods into your routine, and start feeling the transformative effects on your body and mind. Remember, it’s never too late to make a change that will help you age powerfully and beautifully.

FULL show notes: https://www.jjvirgin.com/eatthese9foods

Reignite Wellness™ Omega Plus (fish oil): https://reignitewellness.com/collections/all/products/omega-plus

Designs for Health Taurine: https://amzn.to/3wDxZYr

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Vital Choice wild-caught seafood: https://vitalchoice.sjv.io/daKYGy

Study: ω-3 Fatty Acids in the Prevention of Cognitive Decline in Humans: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3823515/