Today, I am thrilled to connect with my dear friend and colleague, Dr. Stephanie Estima. Dr. Estima and I have similar audiences with many of the same concerns, so we decided to join up for a special episode where we can provide accurate answers to questions from the women in both our communities.  In our discussion, we dive into several topics we often get asked about on social media, including weight gain, insulin sensitivity, and how to identify where we are in terms of peak fertility years, perimenopause, or menopause. We discuss the significance of protein, looking at ways to increase our protein intake, the benefits of intermittent fasting, and when to consider doing that. We also explore how stress and hormones affect us in middle age, and we unpack some relevant research on fat loss and ways to fuel ourselves for exercise.  You have much to learn from today’s insightful and empowering conversation with Dr. Stephanie Estima! IN THIS EPISODE YOU WILL LEARN: How the fear-driven content in wellness circles can cause anxiety instead of providing solutions Why previously effective diets may need to change during menopause Vilifying carbs and negative consequences if a keto diet or fasting is maintained long term How menopause impacts the gut microbiome Perimenopause and menopause are just natural stages of life and not indicators of decline. Strength training and why it’s never too late to start Benefits of eating protein first in meals  Practical advice for managing health challenges during menopause Acute stress vs. chronic stress Will fasting intermittently before exercising burn more fat than fasting afterward? The importance of adopting a balanced approach to exercise and nutrition Connect with Cynthia Thurlow   Follow on Twitter Instagram LinkedIn Check out Cynthia’s website Submit your questions to [email protected] Connect with Dr. Stephanie Estima On Instagram  On her weekly podcast, Better! With Dr. Stephanie