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What if the pain you’ve been living with — the achy knees, the stiff back, the shoulder that’s been bothering you for years — wasn’t a sign that you’re broken, but a message that something’s out of balance? In Part 2 of my conversation with Dr. Erin Boynton — orthopedic surgeon, elite tennis player, and one of the first women to work in both the MLB and NHL — we get into the stuff nobody tells you about injury, recovery, and what it actually takes to heal your body after 40. We cover: Why disc degeneration is incredibly common after 40 and doesn’t have to mean surgery The single biggest mistake people make when they start exercising again (hint: it’s not what you think) Why your body needs relative rest — not complete rest — to heal The “big toe test” Dr. B uses with her patients (try this at home — it’ll tell you a lot) What’s most overrated in injury recovery and what’s massively underrated Why pain is actually your body’s voice — and how to start listening to it The mindset that separates people who recover from those who don’t Dr. Boynton closes with a message that I think every woman over 40 needs to hear: it is never too late. She didn’t take up tennis until her 30s. The body can always adapt. If you’re someone who’s been putting off getting back to movement because things hurt — this one’s for you. Follow Dr. Erin Boynton on Instagram: @DOCTORERINB Follow Andrew on Instagram: @Iamandrewblakey 🎁 FREE: Strong After 40 — 7-Day Mini Course If this episode motivated you to start moving but you’re not sure where to begin, I built this free course for exactly that. Every day for 7 days, I’ll send a new lesson straight to your inbox to help you start strength training the right way — no gym required. 👉 https://blakeybreakthrough.academy/strongafter40 💪 Ready to go all in? Join the Blakey Breakthrough A 12-week online program where I take you through a full strength training curriculum with live workouts, real coaching, and a community of women doing this alongside you. 👉 blakeybreakthrough.com

Joint pain after 40? If you've rested your knee, shoulder or back and the pain keeps coming back, there's a reason, and it isn't your age. This is part one of a two-part conversation with Dr. Erin Boynton, the first female orthopaedic surgeon in both Major League Baseball and the NHL. She's worked with the Toronto Blue Jays, the Maple Leafs, the Argos and the National Ballet, spent 16 years as medical director at the Rogers Cup, published over 30 research papers, and won the J. Édouard Samson Award for career orthopaedic research in Canada. She raised two kids while doing it, and she's currently ranked 18th in the world in tennis in her age category. If you're dealing with knee pain, shoulder pain, a rotator cuff tear, or a back that keeps going out, this one is for you. In this episode, you'll learn: - Why rest eases joint pain but doesn't heal the injury, explained with a car-and-tire analogy you won't forget - Why your knee or shoulder can hurt when the real problem is somewhere else in the body - What happened when she gave shoulder patients movement work instead of surgery, and how many got better - Why a partial rotator cuff tear on your MRI may not mean what you think it means - The four pillars of a movement foundation, and why strength training before you fix your alignment can backfire - What she learned as the only woman in the room, and her honest advice on career and motherhood "Move the body the right way and it will heal. Move it the wrong way and it breaks down." TIMESTAMPS 00:00 - Meet Dr. Erin Boynton 01:03 - Why she wrote The Injury Guide 01:49 - Being one of the 2%: women in orthopaedic surgery 03:28 - How to handle a male-dominated workplace 05:17 - Four weeks of leave: building a surgical career with a newborn 06:59 - Why you can't be a supermom, and what to do instead 08:50 - Why change takes men and women together 09:58 - Is rest really best for an injury? 12:10 - The muscle discovery that changed how she treats patients 13:09 - The car and tire analogy: why your pain keeps coming back 16:10 - What "realigning the wheels" actually means in your body 17:53 - Partial rotator cuff tears and what your MRI really shows 19:41 - The patients who skipped surgery and got better anyway 21:00 - The four pillars of a movement foundation 22:37 - Why strengthening before alignment can make things worse 24:10 - Coming up in part two Part two is the practical side: what 15 minutes a day should look like, a test you can do on your own foot right now, and exactly where to start if you're deconditioned and scared of making things worse. Connect with Dr. Erin Boynton: Website: https://doctorerinb.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/doctorerinb/ Mentioned in this episode: The Injury Guide by Dr. Erin Boynton On Amazon - https://link.amazon/B02rWQY0B LOVE THE SHOW? Subscribe so you never miss an episode: If this episode helped you, please leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. It takes 30 seconds and helps more women over 40 find the show. The information in this podcast is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice. Talk to your healthcare provider before making changes to your health or fitness routine.

Part one of our conversation with Amanda Thebe took off and the feedback was incredible — and part two goes even deeper. This time we're getting into the practical stuff: what you can actually do, starting today, to manage your symptoms and move through this stage of life feeling stronger and more in control. Amanda and Andrew speak the truth about hormone therapy — who it's for, what it actually does, and what the research cannot support yet — and why the loudest voices on social media aren't always the most trustworthy ones. Then they get into the four tools Amanda swears by for managing menopause: exercise, nutrition, sleep and stress management, and mindset. Plus the conversation that every woman over 40 needs to hear — why listening to your body on the hard days isn't giving up, it's smart training. In this episode: The measured truth about hormone therapy — what it does well and what it can't do Why your doctor's appointment is not a menopause plan The four tools for managing menopause symptoms (exercise, nutrition, sleep, mindset) Auto-regulation and the 1–10 energy scale for training through perimenopause Why "intentional movement" on bad days is enough — and why showing up matters Amanda's Spring Women's Health platform — what it is and who it's for If you haven't listened to Part 1 yet from last week (Episode 33), go back and start there — this conversation builds on everything covered in the first episode. Follow Amanda on Instagram: @amanda.thebe Check out Spring Women's Health: springwomenshealth.com Follow Andrew on Instagram: @Iamandrewblakey PS I also have a brand new 7 day course called Strong After 40 for free where you can get a video sent to your inbox each day to learn how to get started with strength training by the end of our course together.

Brain fog, insomnia, vertigo, anxiety, and a doctor telling you your tests are "normal"? You're not losing your mind. It could be perimenopause. Amanda Thebe is the best-selling author of Menopocalypse, a TEDx speaker, and one of the most honest voices in women's health. After years of perimenopause symptoms and countless tests that found nothing, one doctor finally put a name to what she was going through. Now she helps women over 40 understand their bodies and get the care they deserve. In Part 1, you'll learn: - The perimenopause symptoms nobody warns you about, from brain fog and joint pain to tinnitus and chronic fatigue - Why so many women see several doctors before anyone takes them seriously - Exactly what to say at your appointment so you walk out with a plan - Why strength training in your 30s and 40s protects your bones and muscle through menopause - Why men belong in the menopause conversation too Part 2 drops next week: the practical strategies that actually move the needle on your symptoms. CONNECT WITH AMANDA THEBE Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/amanda.thebe/ Spring Women's Health: https://www.springwomenshealth.com MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE - Menopocalypse by Amanda Thebe: https://a.co/d/05JZlklw - Spring's doctor-visit guide with symptom tracking and exact language to use: https://www.springwomenshealth.com LOVE THE SHOW? Subscribe so you never miss an episode, part two of this conversation comes out September 30th.  If this episode helped you, please leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. It takes 30 seconds and helps more women over 40 find the show. The information in this podcast is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice. Talk to your healthcare provider before making changes to your health or fitness routine.

Everyone's talking about creatine — but do you actually know what it does and whether it's right for you? In this episode of Aging Grace with Andrew Blakey, we break down one of the most researched supplements in existence and explain the science in a way that's simple, clear, and actually useful — especially if you're a woman over 40. If you're over 40, your body is already working against you in ways you might not realize. Muscle loss accelerates, energy declines, metabolism slows, and the risk of falls and fractures quietly increases. Creatine has emerged as one of the most talked-about supplements for this exact stage of life — but the misinformation around it has kept too many women away from something the research actually supports quite strongly. In this episode, Andrew covers what creatine really is, how it works inside your body, how to take it, and the truth behind the biggest myths — including the persistent claim that it damages your kidneys. What you'll learn: What creatine is and why it's not a steroid or a bodybuilding drug Sarcopenia — the age-related muscle loss that begins in your 30s and why it matters How the ATP-CP energy system works and why creatine gives you a "bigger battery" Creatine monohydrate — the most researched version of the supplement. What happens to your body and the scale in the first two weeks The truth behind the kidney damage myth and why cycling off isn't necessary The emerging research on creatine and brain health, cognitive function, and mental clarity after menopause This episode is for women over 40 who want to understand their bodies, cut through the noise on social media, and make informed decisions about their health — not be told what to do. if you’re interested in researching specific products please see below for some popular recommendations.  Transparently these links are my affiliate links, I am in no way sponsored or affiliated with the company in any special way. I do receive a small small kickback for any purchase with these links but they in no way influence the price you pay Amazon - Creatine Monohydrate Andrew is not recommending creatine. This episode is education. For personalized guidance on supplementation and nutrition, always speak with a registered dietitian. Follow Andrew on Instagram for myth-busting videos and weekly content for women over 40: @Iamandrewblakey

What if the best your body has ever looked and felt hasn't happened yet? Most women over 40 spend their energy trying to get back to something — a number on the scale, the way they looked before kids, before the chaos, before life got complicated. But what if that's the wrong target entirely? In today's episode, Andrew makes the case that the most powerful, confident, capable version of your body is not in your past. It's built right now, with the right strategy, in the body you actually have today. This isn't a pep talk. It's a plan. Andrew breaks down exactly why women over 40 have more potential than they've been told, what's actually been standing in the way, and the step-by-step approach his clients use to build bodies they are genuinely proud of — not in spite of being over 40, but because of everything this season of life has to offer. If you've been waiting to feel good in your body again, stop waiting. This episode is your starting point. In this episode: Why the goal of "getting back" is keeping you from going forward What changes after 40 — and why it's not the disadvantage you think it is The 3-week training ramp that builds real, lasting results How much protein you actually need to build muscle after 40 The mindset shift that changes everything You haven't peaked. You're just getting started. Come tell me what resonated — I'm on Instagram and I read every single message: instagram.com/Iamandrewblakey

If you're doing everything "right" and still exhausted, this episode is for you. So many women over 40 are tired — not just end-of-day tired, but bone-deep, wake-up-exhausted, can't-get-through-the-afternoon tired. And too often they're told by their doctors: "You're just getting older. Deal with it." Today's guest refuses to accept that answer. Dr. Paul Hrkal is a naturopathic doctor with a specialty in neurology, hormonal health, and weight loss support. Rather than treating symptoms in isolation, Dr. Paul takes a systems biology approach — looking at how your hormones, sleep, gut, stress response, and nutrition all communicate with each other to either generate energy or drain it. He's worked with hundreds of women navigating perimenopause and menopause, and he's the creator of the 6-Week Energy Reset Program — a step-by-step framework to help you understand and rebuild your energy from the ground up. In this episode, Andrew and Dr. Paul dig into why low energy is one of the most overlooked — and most misdiagnosed — health challenges women face after 40, and what you can actually do about it. 🔗 LINKS & RESOURCES 📲 Follow Dr. Paul Hrkal on Instagram and learn more about his 6 week energy reset program: instagram.com/drpaulhrkal 💪 The Blakey Breakthrough — Andrew's Signature Program: blakeybreakthrough.com ⚡ Spots are still available — program starts September 8th. Don't miss it! 🎧 Listen to Aging Grace on Spotify: open.spotify.com/show/0UG2ZlmwAUI2WHtHtS4wA5 🕐 EPISODE TIMESTAMPS [00:00] — Welcome & Dr. Paul's background: what a naturopathic doctor actually does [05:00] — Why our healthcare system is failing women with multi-system symptoms [10:00] — How to know if your fatigue is a real problem (vs. just a hard week) [15:00] — The first building blocks to check: nutrition, iron, and B12 deficiency [20:00] — Why sleep quality matters more than sleep quantity [26:00] — The sleep apnea case study: a 55-year-old woman whose energy completely transformed [32:00] — Cortisol, adrenal hormones & menopause: the sneaky connection draining your energy [38:00] — "Adrenal fatigue" — what's real, what's myth, and why it matters [44:00] — How exercise needs to change after 40 (and why pushing harder is often the wrong answer) [50:00] — Dr. Paul's 6-Week Energy Reset Program

In this episode, Andrew Blakey sits down with life pivot and reinvention coach Alexis Doss to unpack a grounded, emotional, identity-driven approach to manifestation — not the Instagram version, but a blend of tough love, nervous system work, and practical tools for real change. They explore how manifestation operates in the brain (RAS), why people resist change, fear of success, identity shifts, and how to build momentum toward health, relationships, and career reinvention. This episode is part one of a two-part conversation; listeners are encouraged to follow for part two and join the Blakey Breakthrough waitlist. You can check Alexis out on instagram @Thetoughlovecoach  Don't forget to check out her free guide in her bio!

Think aging means getting weaker, slower, and softer? Think again. Most people over 40 focus on eating clean and doing cardio—but they’re ignoring the most powerful anti-aging tool available: muscle. In this episode, I break down exactly why muscle is your best insurance policy for staying lean, strong, pain-free, and independent as you age. You’ll learn: ✅ What happens to your body if you don’t strength train after 40 ✅ Why muscle helps with metabolism, fat loss, joint pain, and longevity ✅ The specific way you should train for muscle in your 40s, 50s, and beyond ✅ How to recover smarter, eat better, and track what matters most ✅ The one mindset shift that changes everything about aging Whether you’re starting from scratch or getting back into a routine, this episode will give you the knowledge—and the motivation—to build strength that lasts a lifetime. 🔗 Listen to these next: 🎧 The Midlife Sleep Fix With Alanna Mcginn Learn why sleep changes later in life and what you can do about it 🎧 Tik Tok Nutrition Myths Exposed With 11x Author Andy De Santis Dietitian rockstar Andy De Santis breaks down and debunks common nutritional claims and what the truth about them is.

If you’ve ever looked at your life and thought, “Somewhere along the way… I lost myself,” you’re not alone. So many people over 40 wake up one day realizing they’ve been running for years — from responsibilities, from expectations, from emotions they never made space to feel. And the scariest part isn’t slowing down… it’s what you might find when you finally do. In this episode, artist and Arting Around founder Julia Antimirova gets brutally honest about starting over, feeling empty, being a beginner at an age where you feel like you “should” have everything figured out, and what it actually takes to rebuild who you are. This is a conversation for anyone who: Feels disconnected from themselves Has spent years staying “busy” to avoid feeling anything real Forgot what it’s like to do something just for them Is afraid to try because vulnerability feels like exposure Hasn’t felt truly present in a long time Wants to feel alive, inspired, and grounded again We talk about the kind of vulnerability that makes your chest tighten — the kind that comes from sitting in silence, from facing yourself, from creating something and risking someone not understanding it. The kind of vulnerability most of us avoid until life forces us into it. This episode isn’t really about art. It’s about what happens when you stop running. This conversation is the permission slip you didn’t know you needed... Check out Julia on instagram here! (@Julia_artingaround)

Menopause isn’t the end of your vitality — it’s the opportunity to rewrite how you live, move, and feel. In this episode, Andrew sits down with Dr. Jennifer Zelovitzky, a leading women’s-health and menopause practitioner, to talk about what really happens to your body during this transition and how to take back control through lifestyle, movement, and mindset. They dive deep into the real-life struggles women face in midlife — from sleep issues and brain fog to weight gain and mood changes — and unpack what actually works to manage them. Dr. Jen shares science-backed strategies on navigating this transition naturally, building strength and resilience, and creating daily habits that help you feel like yourself again. If you’ve ever felt lost, tired, or dismissed when it comes to menopause, this conversation will remind you that you’re not broken — and that thriving through this stage is absolutely possible. Check out Dr Jenn on social media at DrJenZelo

In this deep-dive episode, sleep expert Alanna McGinn joins host Andrew Blakey to unpack the truth about sleep debt, recovery, and how midlife changes the way we rest. You’ll learn: ✅ Why you can’t simply “catch up” on lost sleep over the weekend ✅ The real science behind sleep debt and how it impacts your energy, hormones, and longevity ✅ Simple, science-backed strategies to finally get restorative sleep after 40 ✅ How stress, screens, and lifestyle habits sabotage deep rest — and what to do about it Whether you’ve been waking up exhausted, tossing and turning at 3 a.m., or just want to optimize your recovery as you age, this episode gives you the tools to reclaim your nights — and your days. 🌙 🔗 Connect with Alanna McGinn If you want to learn more about sleep you can subscribe to Alannas newsletter here. In her newsletter she shares tips and tricks on how to improve your sleep. You can also check out her FREE online email course where she teaches you how to overcome those 3 am wake ups!  🎧 Listen to more episodes of The Aging Grace Podcast for expert conversations on longevity, strength, and science-based living after 40. 👉 Follow Andrew Blakey on Instagram @iamandrewblakey 👉 Follow Alanna McGinn on Instagram @alanna.mcginn or her sleep company she founded @gnsleepsite

Think apple cider vinegar burns fat? Or that seed oils are literally toxic? Social media might have you believing just about anything these days — especially when it comes to nutrition. In this episode, I’m joined by registered dietitian and 11 time author Andy De Santis to break down the most viral nutrition claims on TikTok — and rate them from “that’s legit” to “call the science police.” We cover: Whether greens powders are worth the hype The truth about celery juice, ACV, and “detoxing” If you should actually be afraid of seed oils The facts behind blood sugar hacks, hormone smoothies, and more PLUS: We wrap with a hilarious rapid-fire segment called “Rate That Claim!” where Andy gives his BS meter reading on some of TikTok’s most ridiculous health advice. This is a must-listen if you’re feeling overwhelmed by conflicting nutrition advice and just want to know what actually works. Check him out on Instagram @AndyTheRd

In Part 2 of my conversation with Gina Livy, founder of The Livy Method, we move beyond food and into the mindset work that truly makes change stick. This episode dives into the emotional and mental side of weight loss — the part most programs ignore. We cover: Why self-sabotage isn’t what you think it is How identity and self-worth shape your progress The role of patience, personal growth, and internal trust What “showing up messy” really looks like in real life The mindset shifts that lead to real transformation — without the obsession If you're tired of starting over, stuck in all-or-nothing thinking, or feel like you're doing everything “right” but not seeing change — this episode is going to speak to you. 🎧 Listen now wherever you get your podcasts. 📌 And if you missed Part 1, go back and check it out — it sets the stage for everything we cover here. PS check out Gina Livy on Instagram where she dives deep into weightloss and how you can lose weight in a way that's both healthy & sustainable https://www.instagram.com/ginalivy/

In this episode, I sit down with founder of The Livy Method, Gina Livy, to talk about why most diets fail — and what it really takes to lose weight in a healthy, sustainable way. She's helped over 100,000 people to lose weight and keep it off since 2018.  We explore: Gina’s personal weight loss journey Why traditional diets and calorie restriction often backfire How to shift your mindset around food and weight loss What makes The Livy Method different from other programs How to break free from yo-yo dieting and food guilt If you’ve ever struggled with emotional eating, stalled progress, or feeling like your body just won’t respond, this conversation will help you rethink your entire approach. 👉 Don’t forget to follow the show so you don’t miss Part Two, where we dive deeper into the emotional and psychological side of weight loss and why the Livy Method works so well. PS Check out Gina Livy on Instagram @Ginalivy or her program starting April 21st at https://www.ginalivy.com/