The fitness industry has largely forgotten about women over 40, pushing high-intensity workouts that leave us exhausted and discouraged. Christine Kirkland discovered a different path after becoming a mother and finding that the "no pain, no gain" mentality was destroying her body rather than strengthening it. Through Pilates, she found better results with less impact and has since dedicated her practice to helping women over 40 build strength, balance, and bone density through intentional, low-impact movement. This conversation challenges the assumption that heavy weights and intense workouts are the only path to fitness results and explores why slower, more focused movement might be exactly what our bodies need as we age.

I am a convert! I tried traditional Pilates in groups, one on one, on a reformer and on the mat and never felt it was "for me." Then I tried one of Christine's classes using her free, 7-day trial.

Now I take one of her classes 3 -4 times per week and am loving it. No more neck strain doing the hundreds!

Key Themes

· Rethinking Fitness After 40: The high-intensity approaches that work in your twenties often leave women over 40 exhausted and injured. Our bodies need a different approach focused on balance, bone density, muscle mass, posture, and core strength rather than just aesthetics.

· The Power of Intentional Movement: Slowing down allows you to actually activate the muscles you're targeting. When we move too fast with too much weight, "bully muscles" take over, leading to improper form, pain, and ineffective workouts.

· Building Strength Without Heavy Weights: You don't need heavy weights to build muscle mass and bone density. Resistance comes in many forms including your own body weight, light weights, bands, and small props. A plank is one of the most effective exercises for women over 40.

· Balance as a Longevity Marker: Research shows that the ability to stand on one leg for 10 seconds predicts lifespan. Balance should be a primary focus for women over 50, as falls can be life-changing events that significantly impact independence and quality of life.

· Movement as Prehab: Pilates focuses on joint mobility and proper alignment before adding load. This approach prevents injury and ensures you're building strength from a foundation of good alignment rather than reinforcing compensatory movement patterns.

· Finding What Works for Your Body: Not every workout is for every person. If high-intensity training leaves you depleted and discouraged, you're not the problem—you just haven't found the right workout yet.

Take aways and to dos

· Test your balance: Stand on one leg for 10 seconds. If you can't do this, make balance work a priority in your fitness routine.

· Start with lighter weights than you think you need: If you're new to Pilates or intentional movement, try 1-2 pound weights. Focus on feeling the target muscle working rather than how much weight you can lift.

· Pay attention to your bully muscles: Notice if your neck tenses during shoulder work or if your hip flexors burn during core exercises. These are signs that the intended muscles aren't activating properly and you need to slow down, reduce weight, or adjust form.

· Prioritize alignment before load: Before adding weight or resistance to any movement, ensure your joints are in proper alignment....

Elizabeth McGann is a holistic nutritionist, life coach, and founder of the Holistic GLP-1 Method. Her podcast, The Holistic GLP-1 Podcast, consistently ranks as a top show on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Drawing from her own experience navigating weight challenges from childhood, Elizabeth takes a comprehensive approach that addresses both the physical and emotional aspects of sustainable weight management.

This conversation challenges the current approach to GLP-1 medications and offers a science-backed roadmap for anyone considering these drugs or struggling with weight management. Elizabeth doesn't hold back about what's going wrong with standard GLP-1 prescribing practices and provides clear guidance on how to use these medications safely while building genuine, lasting health.

● The GLP-1 Problem Nobody's Talking About

Most people are being dosed dangerously high on GLP-1 medications. Elizabeth argues that standard dosing protocols are compensating for poor diet rather than supporting metabolic health. The higher the dose, the more severe the side effects and potential health risks.

● The Five-Pound Rule

Before considering GLP-1 medications, Elizabeth recommends losing the first 5-10 pounds on your own through diet management. This proves you understand the fundamentals and means you won't need the highest doses. If you can't lose weight without the medication, you're likely eating in a way that requires dangerous dosing levels.

● Food Noise Is Metabolic, Not Just Mental

The 'food noise' that GLP-1 medications quiet isn't just psychological. It's the result of glucose spikes from high-carbohydrate, processed foods. When you eat foods that spike your blood sugar, your body spends the rest of the day seeking the next sugar hit. A properly managed low-glycemic diet can achieve the same mental clarity without medication.

● Strength Training Is Non-Negotiable

Taking GLP-1 medications without strength training is dangerous, especially for people over 40. These medications cause disproportionate muscle loss, which affects bone health and overall metabolic function. If you're not willing to commit to resistance training, you shouldn't be on these drugs.

● The Minimum Effective Dose Strategy

Working with a compounding pharmacy allows for microdosing and customization that standard pharmaceutical protocols don't offer. The goal is to find the smallest dose that supports your metabolic shift while you do the real work of building sustainable habits around nutrition, movement, sleep, and stress management.

● You Can Get Off These Medications

Contrary to what many doctors suggest, GLP-1 medications don't have to be lifelong. When used correctly alongside fundamental lifestyle changes, these drugs can be tapered down and eventually discontinued without regaining weight. The key is addressing root causes rather than treating symptoms.

● Track your glucose: Consider using a continuous glucose monitor (CGM) or apps like MyFitnessPal to understand how different foods affect your blood sugar. Companies like Levels Health provide extensive research on optimal glucose management.

● Start with elimination: Remove wheat/gluten, corn, eggs, dairy, and soy for a period of time to identify what may be causing inflammation and digestive issues. Reintroduce one at a time to observe your body's response.

● Prioritize gut health: Incorporate probiotic-rich fermented foods and bone broth (especially on an empty stomach) to heal and seal the gut lining. Much of our immune...

My guest, Ellen Barrett is a 30-year veteran of the fitness industry. She had DVDs for sale! And she’s never had an injury in all of her years of teaching movement classes from HIIT to yoga and pilates.

I joined her online fitness studio and love the variety of classes. Especially love the 20 minute ones for a midday fitness snack.

Are you tired of fitness culture telling you that real workouts require pain, soreness, and 200-pound deadlifts? Ready to rebel against the idea that movement should feel like punishment? Then this is a great conversation for you and you might also enjoy Ellen’s online studio.

Ellen Barrett has been teaching movement since 1989—back when it was called aerobics, before Instagram created an economy around fake fitness results, and long before "biohacking" became a buzzword.

Her message is refreshingly simple: Movement is medicine. It should feel GOOD. And it should have zero negative side effects.

That's right. Zero. No soreness. No exhaustion. No injuries.

If you have those things? You went too far.

Ellen's fusion approach combines Pilates, yoga, dance, and breathwork—all done barefoot, because shoes might be secretly destroying your alignment and causing chronic pain you can't explain.

This conversation will change how you think about fitness, your feet, and what it actually means to be "fit" after 50.

✅ Why gym class trauma turned off an entire generation - Those timed pushup tests and heart rate monitors made fitness feel clinical, competitive, and intimidating instead of joyful

✅ The barefoot movement revolution - How going shoeless strengthens feet, fixes alignment, prevents chronic pain, and makes you feel integrated from head to toe

✅ Why Ellen is "allergic to shoes" - After 30+ years of barefoot teaching, her feet are so capable they can't stand being trapped anymore

✅ Fusion fitness beats perfectionism - Why Ellen left the rigid world of Pilates to create workouts that let you "just move" with heat, strength, and stretch combined

✅ The fitness fakery problem - Cosmetic surgery passed off as "results," influencers not walking their talk, and devious behind-the-scenes stuff at an all-time high

✅ How breathing reveals how you're living - Show Ellen how someone breathes and she'll show you how they're living their life (tension blocks flow and abundance)

✅ Why flexibility is the fountain of youth - Everyone talks about strength training for women over 50, but mobility and flexibility are the neglected keys to longevity

✅ Exercise as an anti-aging facial - Movement nourishes your skin through circulation better than any cream or serum

✅ The research on movement and creativity - Writers who walk are more prolific than those who don't—even accounting for time spent walking

✅ How to avoid victim mentality in your 50s - Why some women lose confidence and capability while others feel like they're just getting started

Who This Episode Is Perfect For

✔️ Women over 50 who feel intimidated by gym culture and Instagram fitness

✔️ Anyone who's convinced they need to lift heavy or run marathons to be "fit"

✔️ People suffering from chronic pain that doctors can't explain (especially back and knee problems)

✔️ Rebels tired of the all-or-nothing, perfectionist approach to fitness

✔️ Anyone who hated gym class and still carries that trauma

✔️ People looking for joyful movement that doesn't feel like punishment

✔️ Those...

Episode Guest: Dr. Edward Kondrot - Board Certified Ophthalmologist, Homeopath & Founder of Healing the Eye

Okay, I had to use "eye-opening" just once because this conversation literally changed how I think about vision health forever.

Are you tired of being told "there's nothing we can do" when your eyesight starts to fade? Ready to rebel against the idea that cataracts, glaucoma, and macular degeneration are just inevitable parts of aging you have to accept?

What if I told you there's a board-certified ophthalmologist who cured his own life-threatening asthma with homeopathy—and then brought those same principles to eye care?

Dr. Edward Kondrot is the world's leading homeopathic ophthalmologist, and he's been treating eye diseases with alternative therapies for over 45 years. He still wears two hats—traditional ophthalmology when surgery is needed, and homeopathic approaches for everything else—which makes him uniquely qualified to tell you what actually works.

Here's what makes this conversation so important: Your eyes aren't isolated organs. They're connected to your liver, your emotional state, your circulation, your diet, your stress levels—your WHOLE body health. And that means you have way more control over your eye health than you've been led to believe.

✅ How a traditional ophthalmologist became a homeopath - Dr. Kondrot's near-death experience with asthma led him to a cure Western medicine said didn't exist (and transformed his entire approach to treating disease)

✅ Why cataracts are a warning light, not a death sentence - What your body is trying to tell you when a cataract develops, and the questions you should ask before rushing into surgery

✅ The truth about glaucoma that most eye doctors won't tell you - It's not just about pressure—it's about the health of your optic nerve, and there are steps you can take to improve it

✅ Macular degeneration from a whole-body perspective - Understanding the dry vs. wet forms, and why improving circulation and nutrition can change the trajectory of this disease

✅ The Ozempic blindness connection - Why this wildly popular weight loss drug is causing optic neuritis and permanent vision loss in some patients

✅ What "the eye is the flower of the liver" means - The Chinese medicine connection between your eyes, your liver, and unprocessed frustration and anger

✅ Light therapy and microcurrent that's been used for over 100 years - Ancient modalities that help the eye regenerate and balance your autonomic nervous system

✅ The shocking increase in diabetic retinopathy - Why what was rare 45 years ago is now epidemic (hint: it's not just diabetes—it's obesity and what we're eating)

✅ Computer vision syndrome and the blue light problem - How our screens are creating a generation of kids with eye problems, and what to do about it

✅ How to get a FREE eye health consultation - Dr. Kondrot personally reviews eye records at no charge for people who've been told "there's nothing more we can do"

On his asthma cure awakening: "The third remedy I took, it was like somebody turned on the light switch. Not only did my asthma improve, mentally and emotionally there was a shift. I said, why didn't they teach us this in medical school?"

On what homeopathy actually is: "The homeopathic doctor feels, if the body's intelligent and wants a fever, let me give something which causes a fever. Then miraculously, you no longer have the fever. When I was cured of my...

Episode Guest: Dr. Nathalie Beauchamp (Dr. Nat) - Chiropractor, Author & Biohacking Expert

Are you tired of feeling like you need to nail every health habit every single day or you've somehow failed? Ready to rebel against the myth that you have to do everything—the workout, the supplements, the meal prep, the stretching—all in one perfect day?

Here's what the wellness industry doesn't always tell you: You don't have to do it all. Not even close.

This conversation with Dr. Nat is going to shift how you think about health habits forever. She's redefining biohacking as finding better, more efficient ways to be healthy—not adding more guilt to your already full plate.

✅ Why weekly and monthly habits matter more than daily perfection - Learn how to organize your health goals across different timeframes so you can actually stick with them

✅ The three-tier system for building new habits - Discover which changes are quick wins vs. which ones need serious planning (and why you shouldn't tackle too many at once)

✅ Sleep as your non-negotiable foundation - Why tracking your sleep might reveal you're getting way less than you think (and what to do about it)

✅ The truth about strength training after 50 - Research shows women in their 70s can still build bone density and muscle mass—no excuses, just smart strategies

✅ Why CGMs are now affordable (under $100/month) and how they can give you powerful insights about your unique body

✅ The connection factor - Why your health habits mean nothing if you're trying to do them alone

On redefining biohacking: "My definition of biohacking is just finding better and more efficient ways to be healthy. I see so many people thinking, 'If I can't go to the gym an hour and a half, four or five times a week, then I might as well not go at all.' That's not how this works."

On the daily perfection trap: "We think we need to do it all in one day—the perfect day where you take all your supplements, do your exercise, do your stretching. It's impossible. Let's face it, it's impossible."

✔️ Women over 50 who are tired of all-or-nothing approaches to health

✔️ Anyone feeling overwhelmed by the sheer volume of "must-do" health habits

✔️ Rebels who want to build sustainable routines that actually fit their real life

✔️ People struggling with sleep despite thinking they're "doing everything right"

✔️ Women concerned about bone density, muscle loss, and staying strong as they age

✔️ Anyone curious about blood sugar management and whether CGMs are worth it

✔️ Those who want to learn smart habit-stacking strategies from someone who gets it.

Your Affordable Biohacking Tool

Continuous Glucose Monitors (CGMs) - Now available for under $100/month through companies like Stelo and Levels. Worth doing at least once to see how YOUR body responds to different foods and activities.

While we focused on biohacking and habits, Dr. Nat reminded us of something crucial: people who live longest in Blue Zones aren't just eating well and moving—they're deeply connected to community.

Her advice? Find your people. Join a group. Try pickleball. Surround yourself with others on a similar health journey. The social aspect isn't optional—it's essential for longevity and vitality.

Beyond the Basics: When You're Ready

Once you've

Are you ready to tap into the superpower hiding in your subconscious mind? Whether you're leading a team, running a business, or navigating the unfamiliar terrain of retirement, your mindset might be the only thing standing between you and your next breakthrough.

In this conversation, I sit down with Michelle Waters—imagination advocate, clinical hypnotherapist, and business coach—to explore how hypnosis can transform everything from limiting beliefs to business success. And no, you won't be clucking like a chicken.

✨ Why hypnosis isn't meditation (and why goal-oriented people often find it easier to master)

🧠 How hidden childhood memories can sabotage your adult life—including a fascinating story about a woman's unexplained phobia of bumblebees

💼 The surprising connection between hypnotherapy and business success—discover why it's the "super arrow in a business person's quiver"

🎯 How to overcome social anxiety and self-sabotage when your career depends on confidence

🚀 Michelle's revolutionary AI-powered app that creates custom hypnosis recordings in just 5 minutes (personalized wellness is here, rebels!)

📖 Leadership wisdom for every stage of life—from corporate climber to community volunteer

"Hypnosis is like meditation, but with a goal. We're such a goal-oriented society that hypnosis works really well for people—even those who struggle with meditation."

"Your subconscious mind listens all the time, whether you are awake or you perceive yourself to be asleep."

"Leadership is important throughout one's life. The essence of leadership is always about who are you? How can you be the best you?"

"You can't make somebody do anything in hypnosis that they're not aligned with doing. When you try to suggest something they don't believe or think is crazy, they just wake up."

✅ Women over 50 navigating career transitions or retirement

✅ Business leaders dealing with imposter syndrome or social anxiety

✅ Anyone curious about hypnosis but skeptical of the "woo-woo"

✅ Professionals who struggle with meditation but crave mental clarity

✅ Leaders looking to unlock their subconscious blocks to success

✅ People interested in the intersection of AI and wellness

Here's what traditional therapy doesn't always tell you: your conscious mind might not even remember the root cause of your struggles. That social anxiety holding you back at networking events? That fear preventing you from taking your business to the next level? The answers might be locked in your subconscious, waiting to be discovered.

Michelle shares how hypnotherapy helped a shy realtor overcome decades of social anxiety by uncovering childhood patterns—transforming his ability to build the relationships his career demanded. Sometimes the barriers to our success were built when we were six years old, and we've been living with them ever since without even knowing it.

While meditation asks you to empty your mind, hypnosis gives your brain a job to do—making it perfect for those of us who can't sit still without a purpose. Michelle breaks down how hypnosis helps with:

• Business mindset blocks that keep you playing small
• Stress relief without adding another hour to your already packed schedule
• Lost memories that might explain current...

Are you tired of feeling lost and overwhelmed when you or a loved one ends up in the hospital? Ready to challenge the idea that you're powerless in the healthcare system? This episode is going to transform how you think about hospital stays.

Board-certified hospitalist Dr. Monique Nugent pulls back the curtain on what really happens inside hospitals—and more importantly, how you can take control of your care. From understanding what a hospitalist actually does to navigating insurance complications and medication confusion, this conversation delivers the insider knowledge you need to advocate effectively for yourself and your loved ones.

• The critical difference between healthcare and sick care—and why understanding this distinction could save your life
• Why every hospital patient needs a "care partner"—and what questions they should be asking
• The real reason hospital stays feel so chaotic—and how to bring clarity to the confusion
• What "medication reconciliation" means—and why you must demand it before discharge
• How to leave the hospital with a solid plan—even if you don't have a complete diagnosis yet
• The shocking truth about emergency room rights—what hospitals legally must provide (and what they don't)
• Why the American healthcare system is "perfectly designed"—to get exactly the outcomes we're seeing

On the healthcare system: "What we have designed and what we pay for in this country is sick maintenance. Healthcare isn't just something that happens in the four walls of a hospital in the 15 to 20 minutes of a doctor's appointment."

On hospital preparedness: "I want people to know what's in their community. Get to know what's in your community...because hospitalizations happen fast."

On having support: "The number one thing I want people to have in a hospital stay is another person. I call that person your care partner."

On discharge planning: "I don't particularly care if you get a diagnosis. I want you to have a plan. A diagnosis can come two weeks from now as long as someone is still working with you two weeks from now."

✓ Anyone who's ever felt confused or powerless during a hospital stay

✓ Family members who want to be effective advocates for their loved ones

✓ People navigating chronic conditions that require repeated hospitalizations

✓ Anyone interested in understanding how the healthcare system really works

✓ Those looking for practical strategies to improve their hospital experience

Here's what the medical establishment doesn't always tell you: hospital stays are high-stakes, fast-moving experiences where you're expected to make critical decisions while you're in pain, scared, and vulnerable. Dr. Nugent reveals that hospitals aren't just about treating acute illness—they're complex systems where safety, timing, and navigation skills matter just as much as medical expertise.

While conventional wisdom says "just trust the system," the research and real-world experience show that informed, prepared patients with strong advocates get better outcomes. Sometimes the most powerful thing you can do is refuse to accept that confusion and poor communication are just "how hospitals work."

Get Dr. Nugent's book:

Ready to rebel against bad advice about aging gracefully? Board-certified family physician Dr. Rachel Degurse is pulling back the curtain on the med spa industry - and some of what she reveals might surprise you.

After corporate healthcare stripped away her ability to truly care for patients, Dr. Rachel opened Pearl Skin Body in Colorado Springs, where she combines internal wellness with external rejuvenation. This isn't your typical "get Botox everywhere" conversation - it's an honest breakdown of what works, what doesn't, and where you should never get filler.

✅ The med spa wild west - why your state's regulations (or lack thereof) could put you at risk

✅ Where filler should NEVER go - the common mistake that won't fix your problem

✅ The one treatment that "rolls back the clock 10 years" - Dr. Rachel's go-to for maximum results

✅ Why some people get "pillowy" faces from fillers - and how to avoid becoming one of them

✅ Red flags to watch for when choosing a med spa - what to look for beyond pretty websites

✅ The truth about Botox crossing the blood-brain barrier - should you be concerned?

✅ Testosterone for women since the 1920s - why this isn't just for men

Dr. Rachel on the med spa industry:

"Med spa world is like the wild west... A medical director technically doesn't even need to be in the same state when they're supervising a med spa. I, in Colorado, legally could supervise a med spa in Alaska and that would be totally okay."

On filler placement mistakes:

"That in between the eyebrows, that area is actually not an ideal location for filler because filler is specifically for volume loss... those wrinkles in between your eyes are usually from facial expression."

Greg on finding the right provider:

"If they don't have a picture of somebody that is my age, like I don't wanna see a 30-year-old before and after of Botox. I wanna see a 65-year-old."

Dr. Rachel on taking control of your care:

"Nobody should have to feel like a number. So if you're not getting the answers that you feel like you deserve, then meet with somebody else. There's nothing wrong with that."

✓ Rebels considering their first med spa treatment but overwhelmed by options

✓ Anyone who's been told their aging concerns are "just normal"

✓ People wanting to understand the difference between volume loss and expression lines

✓ Those seeking a physician who takes a holistic approach to aging

✓ Anyone curious about combining hormone therapy with aesthetic treatments

While the beauty industry wants you to believe more is always better, Dr. Rachel reveals a different approach. The most effective anti-aging strategy isn't about filling every line or freezing every muscle - it's about understanding what's actually causing your specific concerns.

The game-changer insight: Most people are treating expression lines (caused by muscle movement) with volume fillers, when they should be using neuromodulators like Botox. Meanwhile, actual volume loss in the midface gets ignored.

For maximum anti-aging results without surgery: Radiofrequency microneedling (Morpheus)

This treatment addresses multiple concerns at once:

• Skin texture and fine lines
• Mild skin...