In this episode of On The Ascent: Health, Dr. Laura sits down with Marisa Scott, RNFA and owner of Aspire Med Spa, for an in-depth conversation on radiofrequency (RF)—a regenerative technology used for everything from skin tightening to scar release to vaginal rejuvenation.

They discuss:

• What radiofrequency actually is

• How RF remodels collagen, releases scar tissue, and triggers fat apoptosis

• Why RF microneedling helps pain, tightness, and deep tissue adhesions

• Using RF for stretch marks, stubborn fat pockets, pores, and fine lines

• RF for C-section scars and surgical scar remodeling

• Vaginal rejuvenation: lubrication, tightening, sexual function, and comfort

• How hormones influence treatment plans

• What makes someone a good or poor candidate

• Why proper training matters for safety and lasting results

• What to expect with pricing, treatment series, and outcomes

• The rise of regenerative aesthetics: exosomes, biostimulators, and more

Marisa also breaks down misconceptions about med spas and vanity culture, emphasizing why foundational health always amplifies aesthetic outcomes — and how these treatments ultimately support comfort, function, and whole-body wellness for women in midlife.

If you want to age well, improve sexual wellness, understand tissue healing, or explore whether RF might be right for you, this episode brings clarity and science-backed insight.

Connect with Aspire Med Spa & Marisa ScottWebsite: https://aspirealaska.com/
Instagram: @aspirealaska

On The Ascent: Health is produced by Ascent Health & Performance in Anchorage, Alaska — a clinic dedicated to helping people stay strong, active, and adventurous for life.

Connect with Dr. Laura & Ascent Health & Performance

Website: ⁠https://ascentak.com/⁠

Podcast : ⁠ascentak.com/podcast⁠

Instagram: ⁠@ascenthealth_ak⁠

Perimenopause can feel like your body has flipped a switch overnight—weight gain, joint aches, brain fog, mood swings, gut issues, and “I just don’t feel like myself anymore.”

In this episode of On The Ascent: Health, Dr. Laura is joined by Dr. Aderonke “Ade” Akindipe, DNP, FNP-C, founder of Rejuvenate Health & Wellness in Anchorage, Alaska. After working grueling 12-hour shifts during the pandemic and being told her symptoms were “just stress,” Dr. Ade eventually discovered she was in perimenopause—and that changing how she approached hormones, labs, and nutrition completely transformed how she felt.

Together, Dr. Laura and Dr. Ade unpack:

• What perimenopause actually is and when it really starts

• Why so many women are dismissed with “your labs are normal”

• Key symptoms of perimenopause vs. thyroid issues, “adrenal fatigue,” or blood sugar problems

• How hormones like estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone affect mood, joints, sleep, and belly fat

• Why women can become more insulin resistant in midlife—and what to do about it

• How stress, caffeine, alcohol, and over-exercising impact cortisol and midlife weight

• The difference between “normal” lab ranges and optimal ranges for women 35+

• How hormone replacement, nutrition, and lifestyle work together (and why it’s never just one thing)

• The kind of support and “handholding” many women actually need to feel better, not just get more prescriptions

Dr. Ade also shares real stories from her practice—like the woman diagnosed with fibromyalgia who improved dramatically with testosterone support and better hormone balance.

Anchorage Listeners: Balanced & Blooming – The Midlife Hormone Brunch

If you’re local to Anchorage, Dr. Ade is hosting BALANCED & BLOOMING: THE MIDLIFE HORMONE BRUNCH at Loussac Library on Saturday, December 6, 2025, from 11:00 am–1:00 pm (AKST).

This free, hands-on hormone workshop + brunch is designed for women 35–60 who are:

• Exhausted but pushing through

• Battling mood swings or stubborn belly fat

• Not sleeping well or feeling “not like themselves”

• Curious about HRT but unsure where to start

You’ll learn:

• What HRT really is (beyond the myths)

• How estrogen, progesterone & testosterone impact sleep, weight, libido & mood

• The labs every woman should ask for

• How creams and pellet therapy work (with live demos)

• How lifestyle coaching boosts hormone results

Plus: brunch, mimosas, Q&A with Dr. Ade and her team, freebies, and a supportive space to get real answers.

Find details at https://www.facebook.com/events/765961476466851/

Connect with Dr. Ade & Rejuvenate Health & Wellness

Website: rejuvenatehealthak.com
Instagram: @rejuvenate_health_wellness

On The Ascent: Health is produced by Ascent Health & Performance in Anchorage, Alaska — a clinic dedicated to helping people stay strong, active, and adventurous for life.Connect with Dr. Laura & Ascent Health & Performance

Website: https://ascentak.com/

Podcast : ascentak.com/podcast
Instagram: @ascenthealth_ak

In this episode of On The Ascent: Health, Dr. Laura sits down with Dr. Nate Dietz of The Premier Life in Anchorage to unpack one of the most powerful – and misunderstood – metrics in modern health tracking: heart rate variability (HRV).

HRV measures the tiny variations in time between heartbeats. Rather than being “irregular,” a more variable heart rate actually signals a more adaptable, resilient nervous system. A low HRV can point to strain, chronic stress, or a system that’s stuck in survival mode.

Dr. Nate explains:

• What HRV actually is and why it’s a window into autonomic nervous system health

• The difference between sensory, motor, and autonomic nerves

• How the “gas pedal” (sympathetic) and “brake pedal” (parasympathetic) should work together

• Why higher HRV is generally better – and what it means when it’s low

• How his in-clinic testing goes beyond a simple score to show whether someone is stuck in fight-or-flight or burnout

They also dive into real-life examples from practice, including a child with severe constipation and an exhausted nervous system whose HRV and symptoms shifted dramatically as his brainstem and sacral spine were supported.

You’ll hear about:

• The “three T’s” that Dr. Nate believes lower HRV: thoughts, traumas, and toxins

• Simple tools that support better HRV: breathwork, prayer/meditation, movement, and time outside

• Why overuse of caffeine, alcohol, and screens quietly erodes resilience

• The difference between “natural” stress (movement, cold/heat, activity) and “artificial” stress (devices, indoor living, overwork)

• Why sleep is non-negotiable for nervous system recovery – and how upper cervical issues can show up as poor REM sleep

Dr. Nate also shares how he thinks about health as a “bank account,” why most people wait until they’re bankrupt to act, and what he does daily to invest in his own health span so he can hike, play, and be present with future grandkids – not just live longer on paper.

If you’ve ever wondered what your smartwatch’s HRV or sleep scores really mean, or how to actually use that data to feel and function better, this conversation will give you a clear, grounded framework.

Find The Premier Life of Anchorage
Website: https://thepremierlife.com/anchorage
Instagram: @thepremierlife.anchorage

Produced by Ascent Health & Performance in Anchorage, Alaska.
Helping people stay strong, active, and adventurous for life.
More episodes and resources: https://ascentak.com/podcast/