In this episode, we dive into the challenges of working with our changing hormones age 35 and beyond, aka perimenopause, and how to reclaim vibrant health through simple female-specific lifestyle, nutrition and fitness changes. Your host, Louise, a multi award-winning women's integrative health practitioner and performance scientist, shares her personal journey of overcoming hormonal imbalances, gut issues, and genetic challenges, offering practical tips to improve your health and fitness naturally.

We break down how hormonal shifts, like declining estrogen, can affect cholesterol and heart health. We explore cutting-edge biomarkers, clinical findings and what we can do about it. This episode encourages women in their 30s and beyond to take charge of their well-being with regular lab checks, proactive holistic health and performance monitoring. Instead of counterproductive messaging that medication is the only solution, the focus is on strategic nutrition, smart supplementation, and female-specific exercise strategies to feel, look and perform your best.

Another key takeaway is the importance of community. A supportive group of like-minded ambitious active women and runners can keep you motivated, share innovative tips, and empower you to stay on track during perimenopause's many ups and downs. You'll also learn actionable ways to lower LDL cholesterol, reduce inflammation, and use tools like the Function Health platform to understand your unique female physiology better.

Whether you love fitness, endurance sports, or are looking to live a long, healthy and vibrant life, this episode offers simple, empowering strategies to take control of your holistic well-being.

Join Function Health & own your health with 110+ biomarker insights with us here: https://my.functionhealth.com/signup?code=LVALENTINE11&_saasquatch=LVALENTINE11

Get our free nutrition guide, weekly newsletter & explore our industry-leading Badass Breakthrough Academy here: https://www.breakingthroughwellness.com/

Save 20% off healthcare’s best supplements & wellness products with Louise’s curated picks in our Fullscript portal here: https://us.fullscript.com/welcome/breakingthroughwellness/store-start

Episode Highlights:
(0:00) Intro
(3:16) Louise’s health journey: Overcoming hormone and fitness struggles
(6:10) Advocating for health: Navigating traditional vs. functional medicine
(7:28) Understanding LDL cholesterol: Impact of lifestyle and genetic factors
(12:17) Hormonal changes and cardiovascular risks in perimenopause
(19:13) Personalized health monitoring: Tools and platforms to try
(25:06) Dietary strategies: Reducing inflammatory foods and optimizing nutrition
(35:52) Targeted supplementation: Omega-3s, red yeast rice, and more
(43:51) Importance of community: Sharing resources and experiences
(1:02:21) Outro

Tune in weekly to "Maximizing Fitness, Physique, and Running Through Perimenopause" for a simple female-specific science-based revolution. Let's unlock our best with less stress!

I'd love to connect!

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https://www.instagram.com/breakingthroughwellness

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Email 💬 (Note: We do not have guests on our podcast)
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In this episode, Louise opens up about her personal journey breaking through life-altering health, autoimmune, hormone, fitness and running challenges. She reflects on her recent lab results, celebrating wins like reversing hormone imbalances and managing autoimmune symptoms, while also sharing lessons learned from setbacks, frustrating poor advice, and the dismissal of her symptoms along the way.

Louise, a multi award-winning women's integrative health practitioner, performance scientist and one of the world's leading exercise physiologists, emphasizes the importance of a strategic holistic, food-first approach to improving hormone balance, gut health, metabolism and energy levels. She breaks down how simple strategies—such as writing down meals, incorporating functional foods like Brazil nuts and seeds, and responding properly to our body signals like fatigue, cravings, or inflammation—can drive meaningful change. Rejecting extreme diets, fitness fads and outdated advice, Louise advocates for sustainable, science-backed nutrition, fitness and lifestyle habits that nurture long-term health and vitality in active living.

She also highlights the benefits of her Academy, which equips active women and runners with tools to align nutrition, fitness, mind-body health and running methods with their unique female physiology, empowering us to thrive at any age! This episode is packed with practical tips, relatable struggles, and inspiration for women looking to move beyond quick fixes and embrace lasting wellness. Louise’s transparency and dedication to redefining women’s health, fitness and running make this an episode you won’t want to miss!

Visit https://www.breakingthroughwellness.com/ for a free nutrition guide, to book a FREE 30-MINUTE CONSULT & learn about our industry-leading Academy & results for active women & runners age 35 & beyond.

Episode Highlights:
(0:00) Intro
(2:04) Reflections on celebrating progress and reversing hormone imbalances
(5:37) Announcement of targeted coaching program for female runners
(18:43) Setting realistic timelines for health improvements
(29:13) Practical tips for restoring hormone balance and energy
(37:19) The importance of community and support
(44:23) Seed cycling and other nutrition strategies
(54:24) The impact of small lifestyle changes, like post-meal movement
(56:41) Key takeaways on taking charge of your health journey
(1:01:24) Outro

Tune in weekly to "Maximizing Fitness, Physique, and Running Through Perimenopause" for a simple female-specific science-based revolution. Let's unlock our best with less stress!

I'd love to connect!

Instagram 📷
https://www.instagram.com/breakingthroughwellness

Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/BreakingThroughWellness

Email 💬 (Note: We do not have guests on our podcast)
support@breakingthroughwellness.com

In this episode, we explore practical strategies to help you run through the winter months with confidence and ease. Whether you’re a seasoned runner or just starting out, you’ll find tips to stay warm, safe, and motivated—even when the temperature drops.

Our host, Louise, a leading performance scientist, exercise physiologist and women's health practitioner, shares valuable gear recommendations and simple hacks to tackle common cold-weather running challenges like freezing hands, poor circulation, and slippery conditions. From the benefits of compression stockings to layering techniques that actually work, you’ll learn how to stay comfortable and reduce your risk of injury in icy weather.

We also dive into how your body changes with age and the impact of hormones on fitness and circulation. Plus, hear a fun and inspiring take on setting pregnancy running goals and how these lessons can help all women tap into their inner strength.

If you’re looking for actionable advice and a dose of inspiration to keep moving this winter, this episode is for you. Tune in and discover how to stay active, healthy, and empowered all season long!

Find Jobst compression stockings here: https://amzn.to/4imfJpA

Explore award-winning resources & services to thrive through perimenopause with more energy, less stress and sustainable success with our new free advanced training, free nutrition guide and Badass Breakthrough Academy at https://www.breakingthroughwellness.com/

Episode Highlights:
(0:00) Intro
(2:43) Running in extreme cold: personal stories from negative 17°F runs
(5:28) Cold-weather tips: Compression stockings, circulation hacks, and safety
(6:51) Pregnancy running: Achieving marathon goals safely
(8:51) Postpartum recovery: How compression gear aids circulation and fitness
(12:07) Keeping hands warm: Gear options and cheap hacks
(14:10) Protecting lungs in cold air with buffs and gaiters
(17:43) Shoe and grip tips for icy conditions: Yak Trax and trail running shoes
(23:30) Individualized strategies for staying warm: Hot hands and temperature thresholds
(25:12) Outro

Tune in weekly to "Maximizing Fitness, Physique, and Running Through Perimenopause" for a simple female-specific science-based revolution. Let's unlock our best with less stress!

I'd love to connect!

Instagram 📷
https://www.instagram.com/breakingthroughwellness

Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/BreakingThroughWellness

Email 💬 (Note: We do not have guests on our podcast)
support@breakingthroughwellness.com

Seeking support to thrive through perimenopause with more energy, less stress and sustainable success? Our new free training, free nutrition guide and world-leading Academy are for you at https://www.breakingthroughwellness.com/

Take our All About Gut Health Mini Course here: https://www.breakingthroughwellness.com/offers/tKTJYVjP/checkout

Get our podcast listener discount of 20% off Kion’s high-quality clean whey protein, essential aminos, creatine, colostrum & more at https://www.getkion.com/maximizing

In this episode, Louise – one of the world’s leading fitness experts and women's integrative health practitioners – explore the profound impact of gut health on energy, hormonal balance, and overall well-being. She unpacks cutting-edge practical strategies to optimize your gut health, such as best practice dosing and types of fermented foods to add to your diet, finding the right balance of exercise-induced stress, and reducing inflammation. The discussion sheds light on novel strategies to thrive through perimenopause using easy, science-backed methods shared by leading experts.

You'll gain actionable insights into selecting and incorporating fermented foods like sauerkraut, kefir, or Bulgarian yogurt into your daily routine. Discover how exercise, when done in the right dose, can enhance gut health and reduce inflammation, supporting both physical and emotional well-being. Additionally, explore nuances specific to dedicated runners and fitness lovers, when exercise can be counterproductive and wear away at our gut wall lining. Louise addresses the importance of recognizing gut challenges like SIBO before introducing fermented foods, ensuring a tailored and effective approach.

Whether you're an active woman, runner or simply seeking vibrant health, these strategies will empower you to achieve sustainable wellness and improved performance. Join the Breaking Through Wellness community and start transforming your health, fitness and performance with these simple, science-based approaches!

Episode Highlights:
(0:00) Intro
(3:19) Speaker’s background in health research and wellness coordination
(7:56) The foundational role of gut health in energy, hormones, and performance.
(10:15) Strategies for incorporating fermented foods into daily meals
(15:10) Signs to watch for when starting fermented foods and family health benefits
(19:00) The importance of high-quality fermented foods and their storage tips
(22:32) Inflammation reduction through gut health for thriving in perimenopause
(24:26) Introduction to the group coaching program and a call to action
(25:56) Outro

Tune in weekly to "Maximizing Fitness, Physique, and Running Through Perimenopause" for a simple female-specific science-based revolution. Let's unlock our best with less stress!

I'd love to connect!

Instagram 📷
https://www.instagram.com/breakingthroughwellness

Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/BreakingThroughWellness

Email 💬 (Note: We do not have guests on our podcast)
support@breakingthroughwellness.com

Links to Resources Mentioned:

Don't miss the arsenal of resources to superpower your success now available at https://www.breakingthroughwellness.com/ Our new free training is live! "How to Unlock Your Perimenopause Potential With Less Stress", plus our free nutrition guide & free 30-minute consult for those ready to join our new monthly membership or industry-leading 1:1 Academy!

Order Lifewave’s glutathione patch on our Breaking Through Wellness Lifewave website here: https://www.lifewave.com/breakingthroughwellness Click on “Shop” then “Y-Age Product Line” to order.

Take our free masterclass on how Lifewave phototherapy patches work here: https://www.breakingthroughwellness.com/lifewave

Get 20% off Kion Aminos, Colostrum & high-quality Omega here: https://www.getkion.com/maximizing

Get 20% our all of high-quality supplement recommendations in our Fullscript here: https://us.fullscript.com/welcome/breakingthroughwellness/store-start

Take our All About Gut Health Mini Course & save $10 with coupon code “BADASS10”: https://www.breakingthroughwellness.com/offers/tKTJYVjP/checkout

In this episode of Maximizing Fitness, Physique, and Running Through Perimenopause, host Louise Valentine, a multi award-winning women's integrative health practitioner and performance scientist, shares simple, science-backed tips to help active women stay healthy, balanced, and strong—especially during the colder months and holiday hustle.

Louise dives into the importance of morning nutrition to prevent hormone disruptions that can impact fat loss and muscle recovery. She also talks about boosting your immune system with tools like quality multivitamins, omega 3s, and glutathione phototherapy patches. For pre-workout fueling, she suggests amino acids paired with local honey to improve energy, immunity, and body composition.

Gut health plays a big role in immunity, and Louise clears up common myths about probiotics while offering easy-to-follow advice. Endurance athletes will appreciate her tips for avoiding post-race illness and recovering faster.

With personal stories, practical advice, and exclusive discounts on wellness tools, Louise makes it easy to take care of your health, mitigate winter illness, and thrive during the holidays—and beyond!

Episode Highlights:
(0:00) Intro
(1:59) Immune system challenges and tools for staying well
(2:44) The importance of eating whole nourishing foods and avoiding alcohol
(5:49) Glutathione patches and their multifaceted benefits
(14:36) Amino acids for recovery, immunity, and body composition
(18:23) Colostrum and gut health for active lifestyles
(19:05) Local honey and unique pre-workout fuel tips
(29:41) Outro

Tune in weekly to "Maximizing Fitness, Physique, and Running Through Perimenopause" for a simple female-specific science-based revolution. Let's unlock our best with less stress!

I'd love to connect!

Instagram 📷
https://www.instagram.com/breakingthroughwellness

Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/BreakingThroughWellness

Email 💬 (Note: We do not have guests on our podcast)
support@breakingthroughwellness.com

In this episode, we explore the surprising ways that running and intense exercise can affect women's health, hormones and blood sugar, especially during perimenopause. Our host, Louise, one of the world’s leading experts for perimenopausal active women and runners, shares practical lessons from her 21 years' experience, shedding light on the hidden challenges faced by dedicated runners, marathoners, ultra-runners, and fitness enthusiasts. While staying active is crucial for overall health, high training volume combined with lack of strategic nutrition to support our best energy, metabolism and health can disrupt blood sugar levels, throw hormones off balance, and harm gut health.

The conversation highlights how intense workouts like running and HIIT can place extra stress on the body during sensitive life stages. Symptoms like energy crashes, brain fog, an increasing A1C biomarker and weight gain often point to deeper hormonal or blood sugar issues. A balanced diet, including strategic carbohydrate timing and type, is key to maintaining energy, fitness and hormone health. To build a healthy relationship with running, it's essential to listen to your body, manage holistic lifestyle stressors and adapt training routines when needed. The episode underscores the value of addressing these concerns through a personalized, whole foods first approach to achieve sustainable well-being.

If seeking support to thrive through perimenopause with more energy, less stress and sustainable success, our new free training, free nutrition guide and world-leading Academy are for you at https://www.breakingthroughwellness.com/

Episode Highlights:
(0:00) Intro
(3:27) Benefits of exercise for gut health vs. risks of overtraining
(6:19) Misconceptions about fitness and symptoms of "blood sugar chaos."
(10:55) Managing stress holistically to support hormones and longevity
(19:56) Reintroducing carbohydrates for energy and hormonal health
(26:02) Recognizing when running takes more than it gives
(32:52) A sustainable, slow approach to restoring health and fitness
(34:21) Outro

Tune in weekly to "Maximizing Fitness, Physique, and Running Through Perimenopause" for a simple female-specific science-based revolution. Let's unlock our best with less stress!

I'd love to connect!

Instagram 📷
https://www.instagram.com/breakingthroughwellness

Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/BreakingThroughWellness

Email 💬 (Note: We do not have guests on our podcast)
support@breakingthroughwellness.com

In this episode, our host breaks down common myths about women’s health and fat loss, sharing insights from over 20 years of experience as one of the world’s leading health, fitness and performance experts. She includes examples from her own personal journey and coaching 1,000s of athletes, active women, fitness lovers and recreational runners throughout the world. She shares how to overcome hormonal imbalances and metabolic issues caused by outdated diet trends, offering a fresh, science-backed approach designed for women.

You’ll discover:

• Why traditional diets often fail women and cause lasting harm
• How hormones, metabolism, and gut health play a key role in fat loss
• The risks of low-fat diets, extreme calorie cuts, and fasting for active women
• How to fuel your body for energy, performance, and long-term results
• The importance of mental health and healing from past diet struggles

This episode is a must-listen for women ready to take control of their health, reset their bodies, and embrace a sustainable, holistic approach that works with their unique biology. Whether you’re tired of failed diets or want to learn how to thrive, you’ll leave feeling inspired and ready to succeed.

Don't miss our new group coaching program, free training How to Unlock Your Perimenopause Potential With Less Stress and free nutrition guide at https://www.breakingthroughwellness.com/


Episode Highlights:
(0:00) Intro
(3:28) Louise’s journey: From corporate to creating Breaking Through Wellness
(8:19) The foundation of female health: Energy, hormones, metabolism, and gut health
(12:41) Why low-fat diets fail women and harm hormonal health
(18:02) The truth about low-carb diets, gut health, and hormone disruption
(22:25) Rethinking fat loss for high-stress, active women
(28:35) Insights on GLP-1 medications: What you need to know
(34:20) Why cookie-cutter programs fail athletes and runners
(38:24) Outro

Tune in weekly to "Maximizing Fitness, Physique, and Running Through Perimenopause" for a simple female-specific science-based revolution. Let's unlock our best with less stress!

I'd love to connect!

Instagram 📷
https://www.instagram.com/breakingthroughwellness

Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/BreakingThroughWellness

Email 💬 (Note: We do not have guests on our podcast)
support@breakingthroughwellness.com

Don't miss the arsenal of resources to superpower your success now available at https://www.breakingthroughwellness.com/ Our new free training is live! "How to Unlock Your Perimenopause Potential With Less Stress", alongside our free nutrition guide and free 30-minute consult for those ready to join our new monthly membership or industry-leading 1:1 Academy!

Get 20% off Kion Aminos with our podcast listener discount here: https://www.getkion.com/maximizing

Explore our hand-picked high-quality supplements & save 20% here: https://us.fullscript.com/welcome/breakingthroughwellness/store-start

In this episode, Louise and Amy address a deeply personal and relatable question from one podcast listener, “R,” who is navigating the complex challenges of fitness, fat loss and hormone balance during perimenopause. She opens up about her struggle with symptoms after hormone damage due to fasting, having achieved fat loss but unfortunately alongside muscle loss, energy depletion and the loss of her menstrual cycle—all while managing a highly active lifestyle.

Get ready to learn how to come back strong without misleading and outdated advice!

Louise, as one of the world’s leading health, fitness and performance experts, together with co-practitioner Amy, take a thoughtful and holistic approach to understanding the root causes behind these issues, diving into the physiological shifts that occur during perimenopause and how they impact overall health. From the science of hormonal changes to the role of nutrition, exercise and stress management, we explore practical strategies tailored to help “R” restore her health, build strength and feel empowered in her body again. Whether you’re in a similar season of life or supporting someone who is, this episode is packed with insights and actionable tips to inspire confidence, balance and the art of coming back strong to feel, look and perform your best at ANY age!

Episode Highlights:
(0:00) Intro
(4:16) Building a supportive community: why connection matters in fitness and health
(9:27) R's story: weight loss, muscle depletion, and navigating perimenopause
(12:10) The hidden dangers of extreme dieting and fast weight loss for women
(18:24) Strategic nutrition: titrating calories and balancing hormones
(28:08) The role of supplementation and how a multivitamin supports recovery
(34:14) Busting fitness myths: less cardio, more strength for women over 40
(44:34) Customizing your fitness and nutrition plan to fit your body and goals
(48:44) Outro

Tune in weekly to "Maximizing Fitness, Physique, and Running Through Perimenopause" for a simple female-specific science-based revolution. Let's unlock our best with less stress!

I'd love to connect!

Instagram 📷
https://www.instagram.com/breakingthroughwellness

Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/BreakingThroughWellness

Email 💬 (Note: We do not have guests on our podcast)
support@breakingthroughwellness.com