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Send us Fan Mail Eating well, exercising, and still struggling to lose weight? If your old weight loss strategies suddenly stopped working in your 40s, insulin might be part of the missing puzzle. In this episode of Wellness After 40, I'm joined by certified health and wellness coach and author Tania Bertolone to explore the connection between insulin, weight gain, and metabolic health during midlife. After losing 40 pounds herself at age 46 and discovering insulin resistance, Tania made it her mission to help women better understand their bodies and take a more sustainable approach to weight management. We dive into what insulin actually does, how insulin resistance can affect fat storage, and why changing hormones, muscle mass, sleep, and stress can make weight management feel so different after 40. We also discuss the signs of insulin resistance, important lab tests to ask your doctor about, GLP-1 medications, and practical strategies involving nutrition, protein, strength training, and everyday habits that can support better insulin sensitivity. If you've ever wondered why what used to work no longer does, this conversation is for you. 🌐 Visit Tania’s Website 📖 Get Her Book: Insulin Smart Weight Loss for Women Over 40 📱 Follow Tania on Instagram  Become a Wellness After 40 Insider! ✨ Want more wellness conversations, guided meditations, and exclusive bonus episodes? Join Wellness After 40+ for just $5 a month. ✨ Become an Insider and Subscribe Here ↗️  If you enjoyed this episode, follow Wellness After 40 and share it with a friend who needs to hear this conversation! Support the show

Send us Fan Mail Osteoporosis probably isn't at the top of your wellness list in your 40s—but maybe it should be. Bone loss can happen quietly for years, often without any obvious symptoms. And while most of us have heard the standard advice about calcium, vitamin D, and weight-bearing exercise, there’s another important piece of the bone-health puzzle that many women have never considered. In this episode of Wellness After 40, I’m joined by Susan Brady, MPT, a physical therapist, integrative health practitioner, and bone health expert with more than 30 years of experience helping women prevent and address osteoporosis naturally. She’s the creator of the BONES Method® and author of The Gut-Bone Connection, which explores an often-overlooked piece of maintaining strong bones: our gut health. Because it’s not only about getting the right nutrients—our bodies also need to be able to absorb and use them. This conversation goes beyond the typical osteoporosis advice and looks at bone health through a bigger lens. Whether osteoporosis is already on your radar or feels like something you don't need to think about yet, this episode may change the way you think about protecting your bones and staying strong, active, and healthy as you age. Connect with Susan Brady Website: nurturedbones.com Instagram: @nurturedbones Visit nurturedbones.com to learn more about Susan’s BONES Method®, The Gut-Bone Connection book, and ways to work with her. Want more from Wellness After 40? Become a Wellness After 40+ subscriber for $5/month and get exclusive bonus episodes, including short meditations, reflections, and additional wellness content. Subscribe here: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2438861/subscribe If you enjoyed this episode, please follow the podcast and share it with a friend. It’s one of the easiest ways to help more women discover Wellness After 40. Support the show

Send us Fan Mail Are you really getting enough protein after 40? And does building muscle require eating more meat? In this episode of Wellness After 40, I'm joined by physician, researcher, and lifestyle medicine expert Dr. Daphne Bascom to separate nutrition facts from fiction and explain what women actually need to support healthy aging during perimenopause and menopause. We discuss why protein becomes more important as we age, how muscle impacts longevity, whether plant-based diets can support strength and healthy aging, and the daily habits that help women feel their best through midlife. Whether you're trying to age well, preserve muscle, improve your energy, or simply cut through the overwhelming nutrition advice online, this conversation is packed with practical, evidence-based guidance you can start using today. In this episode, we discuss:  Why women over 40 need to prioritize protein  How much protein most women actually need  The connection between muscle, metabolism, and longevity  Can you build muscle on a plant-based diet?  Nutrition habits that support healthy aging  Lifestyle strategies for thriving through perimenopause and menopause  Common nutrition myths women should stop believing  The biggest habits that improve long-term health after 40 Connect with Dr. Daphne Bascom 🌿 The Vegan Gym: https://www.thevegangym.com/ 🎙️ Podcast: Thrive on Plants 🌿 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wingmandaphne/ 🌿 Menopause Mastery Program: https://www.veganmenopausemastery.com/  Subscribe to Wellness After 40 🎧 Become a monthly subscriber for bonus episodes, exclusive expert interviews, and additional content designed specifically for women navigating midlife: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2438861/subscribe If you enjoyed this episode, please follow the podcast, leave a review, and share it with a friend. Your support helps more women discover trusted, evidence-based conversations about thriving after 40. Support the show

Send us Fan Mail You used to sleep through the night. Now you're awake at 3 a.m., your mind is racing, and you're wondering what changed. If that sounds familiar, this episode is for you. Sleep is one of the biggest frustrations women experience in midlife, but it's about so much more than feeling tired the next day. Quality sleep plays a vital role in brain health, immunity, mood, emotional regulation, recovery, and healthy aging. In fact, growing research suggests that consistently getting good sleep may help reduce the risk of cognitive decline as we get older. In this episode, I sit down with Tess Cheng, a Certified Health & Well-Being Coach with a master's degree in Clinical Nutrition from New York University and more than 13 years of experience helping people build healthier, sustainable habits. Together, we explore practical, science-backed strategies that can help you finally get the restorative sleep your body has been craving. If you're tired of waking up exhausted, relying on caffeine to get through the day, or wondering why your sleep has changed after 40, you'll walk away with a better understanding of what's happening—and simple tools you can start using tonight. Resources from Tess Cheng 🌙 Free Sleep Tracker & Guide https://tinyurl.com/GWTSleepGuide ✨ Learn more about Tess's coaching services https://glowithtess.com/services/ 📱 Follow Tess on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/glowithtess/ 🎧 Want even more support? Become a subscriber to Wellness After 40 for exclusive bonus episodes, guided meditations, and additional wellness content created specifically for women navigating midlife. Subscribe here: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2438861/subscribe If this episode helped you, I'd love for you to follow the show, leave a review, and share it with a friend. Every rating, review, and share helps more women discover evidence-based wellness information and supports the growth of this community. Support the show

Send us Fan Mail For more than 25 years, Dr. Janette Gray has been helping patients navigate hormone health—long before hormone therapy, peptides, and longevity medicine became everyday conversations. As an Internal Medicine physician and founder of Perfect Balance Health, she's spent decades helping patients look beyond "normal aging" to uncover potential root causes of symptoms like fatigue, brain fog, weight gain, poor sleep, and low energy. In this episode of Wellness After 40, Dr. Gray shares what more than two decades of clinical experience has taught her about hormones, healthy aging, metabolism, and longevity. We discuss how hormone health may influence overall well-being, why midlife symptoms deserve a closer look, and how to think critically about today's conversations around hormone therapy. In this episode, we discuss: Why aging and decline aren't necessarily the same thingCommon misconceptions about hormones and healthy agingFatigue, brain fog, low libido, and when symptoms deserve further evaluationHormones, metabolism, and why weight gain in midlife is more complex than calories aloneHow the conversation around hormone replacement therapy (HRT) has changed over the last 25 yearsWhat longevity really means—and the habits that matter mostPractical first steps for improving your health as you ageConnect with Dr. Janette Gray Website: https://perfectbalance.health/ Instagram: @janettegraymd and @perfectbalance.health Book: The Truth About Sex Hormones: Balancing Your Hormones to Optimize Your Health https://www.amazon.com/dp/1641469412 Enjoying Wellness After 40? If you're loving the show, the best way to support it is by subscribing so you never miss an episode. You'll get evidence-based conversations with leading experts on hormones, menopause, nutrition, fitness, longevity, and healthy aging—designed to help you feel your best after 40. Subscribe here: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2438861/subscribe If this episode was helpful, I'd also be so grateful if you'd leave a review and share it with a friend. Your support helps Wellness After 40 reach more women looking for trusted, practical health information. Support the show

Send us Fan Mail Have you heard of the vagus nerve? Maybe it's been popping up all over your social media feed. And if it hasn't, ask yourself this... Do you constantly feel stressed, anxious, exhausted, overwhelmed, or like your body just can't relax? For many women over 40, these symptoms are often dismissed as "just stress," "just hormones," or simply part of getting older. But your nervous system—and specifically your vagus nerve—may be playing a much bigger role than you realize. In this episode of Wellness After 40, I'm joined by Dr. Elissa Chambers, a chiropractor and functional medicine practitioner specializing in women's health and nervous system function. Together, we break down the science behind the vagus nerve, what it actually does, and why understanding it may help explain everything from poor sleep and digestive issues to brain fog, anxiety, inflammation, and feeling stuck in survival mode. In this episode, we discuss: • What the vagus nerve is and why everyone is talking about it • What really happens when you're stuck in fight-or-flight • Why stress often becomes more physical during midlife • How hormones, chronic stress, and the nervous system work together • Common signs your nervous system may be dysregulated • The connection between stress, digestion, inflammation, metabolism, and immune health • What social media gets right—and wrong—about "healing" the vagus nerve • Realistic ways to support your nervous system without completely overhauling your life Connect with Dr. Elissa Chambers Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drelissachambers/ 🎧 Become a Wellness After 40 Insider Support the show and unlock exclusive subscriber-only episodes, bonus wellness content, and practical resources created specifically for women over 40. Subscribe here: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2438861/subscribe If you enjoyed this episode, please follow Wellness After 40, leave a rating and review, and share it with a friend. Your support helps more women discover evidence-based conversations that make navigating midlife a little easier. Support the show

Send us Fan Mail What if gratitude isn't about staying positive? We've been sold a version of gratitude that looks a lot like suppression with better branding — smile through it, focus on the positive, don't dwell. In this episode, I sit down with Laura Bratton, founder of Ubi Global and author of Harnessing Courage, to talk about what gratitude actually is when you strip away the toxic positivity. This conversation will change how you think about the "just be grateful" advice you've probably given yourself a hundred times. We get into why honesty — not optimism — is what actually builds resilience, how gratitude and hard emotions can coexist instead of canceling each other out, and what it looks like to navigate a season that doesn't match what you planned for your life. If you've ever felt like you were "failing" at gratitude because you were also struggling, this episode is going to feel like permission. In this episode: — The real difference between gratitude and toxic positivity — Why honesty is the foundation of resilience, not the opposite of it — How to hold gratitude and difficult emotions at the same time — Practical ways to build a gratitude practice that's honest, not performative — Navigating life when it doesn't look like what you expected This one's for anyone in a season of change, uncertainty, or midlife recalibration — which, let's be honest, is most of us right now. Connect with Laura: Website: https://www.laurabratton.com/ ✨ Want even more Wellness After 40? Support the podcast and access subscriber-only episodes and bonus content: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2438861/subscribe If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to follow the podcast and share it with a friend. Your support helps Wellness After 40 reach more women looking for practical wellness advice and meaningful conversations for midlife. Support the show Support the show

Send us Fan Mail Have you ever wondered if that expensive serum, LED mask, or trending skincare device is actually worth it? In this episode of Wellness After 40, I sit down with licensed esthetician and functional medicine practitioner Samantha Dench to talk about how our skin changes after 40 and what we can realistically do about it. We discuss the differences between over-the-counter and medical-grade skincare, which products may be worth investing in, and what to know about popular devices and treatments. We also explore some of the deeper reasons skin can change in midlife, including hormonal shifts, inflammation, gut health, and other factors that may be contributing to concerns like dryness, sensitivity, acne, and rosacea. If you've ever felt overwhelmed by the skincare industry or unsure where to spend your money, this episode will help you make more informed decisions about your skin and overall wellness. Connect with Samantha: Website: https://www.skindeepil.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/samantha.dench/ You can also learn more from Samantha through her podcast, The Functional Aesthetician. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with a friend. Your support helps more women find evidence-based wellness information for life after 40. Support the show

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Wellness After 40, I'm joined by Tess Cheng, MS, health and wellness coach and author of Confident You, to discuss one of the topics many women worry about most as they age: brain health. Women account for nearly two-thirds of Alzheimer's cases, but how much of our risk is genetic—and how much can be influenced by the choices we make every day? Tess breaks down the difference between dementia and Alzheimer's disease, why women may be at greater risk, and the lifestyle habits that research suggests can help support long-term brain health. In this conversation, we discuss: • The difference between dementia and Alzheimer's disease  • Why women face a higher risk of Alzheimer's  • The connection between menopause, hormones, and brain health  • The powerful role of exercise and movement  • Why sleep is essential for memory and cognitive function  • How stress, blood sugar, inflammation, nutrition, and alcohol affect the brain  • Supplements that may support brain health  • What family history really means for your risk  • Simple habits you can start today to support healthy aging If brain health has ever felt overwhelming or frightening, this episode offers practical, evidence-based strategies and a hopeful perspective on what we can do now to support our brains for the future. Resources from Tess 🌐 Website: https://glowithtess.com/ 📖 Confident You: https://amzn.to/4ae7Sbo 😴 Free Sleep Tracker: https://tinyurl.com/GWTSleepGuide Support Wellness After 40 Love the show? Get bonus episodes and support the podcast here: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2438861/support If you found this episode helpful, please share it with a friend or family member. Your shares, ratings, and reviews help more women discover evidence-based wellness information for life after 40. ❤️ Support the show

Send us Fan Mail Peptides are one of the fastest-growing topics in health and wellness, with claims ranging from improved recovery and muscle growth to better metabolic health, healthier skin, and increased longevity. But how much of the excitement is backed by science? In this episode of Wellness After 40, I sit down with Dr. Christine Boev to explore what peptides are, how they work in the body, and who may benefit from them. We discuss the current state of peptide therapy, potential risks and benefits, common misconceptions, and why peptides should be viewed as one piece of a larger wellness strategy—not a replacement for healthy habits. Whether you're curious about peptides for aging, recovery, body composition, or overall wellness, this conversation will help you better understand the science and separate fact from fiction. In this episode, we discuss: • What peptides are and how they work • Potential benefits for recovery, metabolic health, and longevity • Common myths and misconceptions about peptide therapy • Risks, considerations, and who may not be a good candidate • Why medical guidance matters when considering peptides • How peptides fit alongside nutrition, exercise, sleep, and other healthy lifestyle habits Connect with Dr. Christine Boev: Website: https://vitalize-fitness.com/bio Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drchristineboev/ If you enjoyed this episode, please follow Wellness After 40, leave a review, and share it with a friend. Your support helps us continue bringing evidence-based wellness conversations to women navigating midlife and beyond. Interested in bonus episodes and subscriber-only content?   Subscribe here: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2438861/subscribe Support the show

Send us Fan Mail Cortisol gets blamed for everything in midlife—poor sleep, stubborn weight, feeling constantly on edge. But it’s not that simple. In this episode, we’re breaking down what’s really happening in your body when it comes to stress and cortisol—and more importantly, how to support your body so it can actually recover. I’m joined by Gunjan Bhalla, who takes a more holistic approach to stress by focusing on nutrition, nervous system regulation, and sustainable lifestyle shifts that help your body come out of that constant “go” mode. If you’ve been feeling wired, tired, or like your body just isn’t responding the way it used to—this one is for you. Connect with Gunjin: 👉 Instagram: @gonatural_5 Want to go deeper? You can support the podcast and access subscriber-only content here: 👉 https://www.buzzsprout.com/2438861/subscribe If you found this episode helpful, make sure you’re following the podcast and share it with someone who needs to hear it. Thank you for listening! Support the show

Send us Fan Mail What should women over 40 actually be paying attention to when it comes to cancer prevention and early detection? In this episode of Wellness After 40, I sit down with cancer biologist and TEDx speaker Rebecca Maff for a conversation about cancer screenings, prevention, overlooked health changes, and the importance of proactive care in midlife. We discuss why certain cancer screening guidelines are changing, what women should know about breast, ovarian, and colorectal cancer awareness, and how subtle shifts in the body can sometimes be dismissed as “just aging,” stress, or hormones. Rebecca also shares insight into the future of cancer detection, the role of AI in healthcare, and why understanding your body and advocating for your health matters more than ever after 40. In this episode, we discuss:  Cancer prevention and proactive healthcare after 40  Why colorectal cancer screenings now begin at age 45  Breast, ovarian, and colorectal cancer awareness  Subtle health changes women often dismiss in midlife  The importance of routine screenings and family history  Early detection and evolving healthcare technology  AI and the future of cancer research and diagnosis  Stress, overall health, and long-term wellness Connect with Rebecca:  Instagram: @rebeccamaff  TEDx Talk: Watch Rebecca’s TEDx Talk Visit my website for more episodes and wellness resources:  Living Well With Katie If you enjoyed this episode, make sure to follow Wellness After 40, leave a review, and share this episode with someone who may benefit from it. Support the show

Send us Fan Mail After a season filled with conversations about hormones, migraines, gut health, strength training, relationships, recovery, stress, aging, and everything in between, I wanted to take a moment to reflect on the biggest lessons that emerged throughout Season 2 of Wellness After 40. What surprised me most wasn't just what the experts shared—it was the patterns that kept appearing across nearly every conversation. In this episode, I'm looking back on:  The biggest themes that emerged throughout the season  Why so many women over 40 feel dismissed when it comes to their health  What listeners seemed to connect with most  The shift from chasing wellness trends to seeking real understanding  How midlife is often as much an identity transition as a physical one  My personal reflections from hosting this season If you've listened throughout Season 2, thank you for being part of this journey. Whether you've been here since the beginning or discovered the podcast along the way, I'm incredibly grateful for your support, messages, shares, and encouragement. As we look ahead to Season 3, my goal remains the same: bringing thoughtful, evidence-based conversations about health and wellness to women navigating midlife and beyond. Connect with Katie 🌐 Website: www.livingwellwithkatie.net 🎙️ Subscribe to Wellness After 40 so you never miss an episode. 📱 Follow along for wellness tips, podcast updates, and resources designed to help women move, age, and thrive. If this episode resonated with you, please consider sharing it with a friend and leaving a review. It helps more women find these conversations. Thank you for listening, and I'll see you in Season 3. — Katie Support the show

Send us Fan Mail Are you dealing with migraines in your 40s and wondering what’s really causing them—and how to actually find relief? In this episode of Wellness After 40, we talk with Kim Heintz, FDN-P, HTMA-E, MATD, about what migraines really are and what may be driving them beneath the surface. This conversation goes beyond symptom management and into the root causes of migraines, including factors like stress, gut health, mineral imbalances, and overall nervous system load. If you’ve been looking for a more complete approach to migraine relief, this episode will help you better understand where to start and how to support your body. 💡 In This Episode:  What migraines actually are (beyond just a headache)  Common root causes of migraines The role of stress, gut health, and mineral balance Supplements that may support migraine relief Simple, practical steps to start addressing migraines  How to combine functional and traditional care🌿 Resources Connect with Kim Heintz  👉 https://www.kimheintz.com/reclaim Download the Migraine Guide: https://kim-fclwc5hg.scoreapp.com/ ⚠️ Disclaimer: This episode is for informational purposes only and is not intended to replace medical advice. Always talk with your healthcare provider about what’s right for you. 🎧 Enjoying the Podcast? If this episode helped you, make sure to follow the podcast and share it with someone who might need to hear it! Support the show

Send us Fan Mail GLP-1s, GIP, and weight loss medications are everywhere right now....but what do they actually do in the body, and are they the right choice after 40? In this episode of Wellness After 40, we talk with Dr. Boev about the most talked-about weight loss drugs today, including GLP-1 and GIP medications. She breaks down how these medications work, why they are effective for appetite and weight loss, and why so many women in midlife are considering them. This conversation also offers a more cautious perspective on these medications—especially when it comes to long-term health, muscle mass, and sustainability. Tune in as we cover:  What GLP-1 and GIP medications actually do in the body  Why weight loss can happen quickly—and what may be missed  The role of muscle mass and metabolism after 40  Why understanding food, nutrition, and “food noise” still matters  What can happen when you stop these medications  Alternative approaches to support weight loss and long-term health If you’ve been curious about GLP-1s or wondering if weight loss medications are the right choice in midlife, this episode will give you a clearer, more grounded understanding. Of course, these are personal decisions—it’s always best to talk with your medical provider about what’s right for you. But this conversation will give you better questions to ask. 🔗 Connect with Dr. Boev Learn more about her protocols and work here:  https://mastermenopause.com/ 🎧 Love the show? Follow Wellness After 40, share this episode with a friend who’s been asking these same questions, and help more women find real, evidence-based conversations around midlife health. Support the show