EPISODE 51: From MTHFR to Breast Cancer | How Peptides Helped Me Reclaim My Health with Jessica Loftis

EPISODE 51: From MTHFR to Breast Cancer | How Peptides Helped Me Reclaim My Health with Jessica Loftis

Welcome back to Peptides for Women podcast! In this episode, I’m joined by Jessica Loftis, health coach, peptide advocate, and founder of Body by JFit, to talk about her deeply personal journey through chronic inflammation, discovering her MTHFR status, navigating peptide therapy, and ultimately receiving a breast cancer diagnosis. Jessica shares how years of cravings, swelling, painful cycles, and feeling disconnected from her body led her to explore genetics, lifestyle changes, environmental factors, and eventually peptides. She opens up about how peptide therapy became part of her wellness routine before her diagnosis, the decisions she made after learning she had cancer, and the importance of becoming an active participant in your own healthcare journey. We also talk about the emotional side of healing, balancing faith with uncertainty, and what it means to trust yourself while making difficult health decisions. In this episode, we cover: * Jessica’s early signs of inflammation and how cravings shaped her relationship with food * Living with MTHFR and understanding that genes are not destiny * Simple environmental and lifestyle changes she made to support her health * Why she became interested in peptide therapy and her early experience with it * Her perspective on inflammation, body composition, and metabolic health * Alternative and complementary therapies she explored during recovery * The role faith played throughout her cancer journey * Why Jessica believes education and advocacy are essential in healthcare * What excites her most about the future of peptides and helping others Connect with Jessica Loftis! * Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jessicaloftis.jfit/ [https://www.instagram.com/jessicaloftis.jfit/] * Website: https://www.bodybyjfit.com/ [https://www.bodybyjfit.com/] * YouTube: https://www.facebook.com/jessica.vanpaul/ [https://www.facebook.com/jessica.vanpaul/] Links & Resources: * 🔗 Learn more at: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠elliemd.com/JenniferWoodwardNutrition⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [http://elliemd.com/JenniferWoodwardNutrition] * 🎯 Take my free peptide quiz and get a personalized, midlife-smart roadmap for the peptides that actually match your symptoms and goals: ⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.tryinteract.com/share/quiz/6862acd5df823500150c4ca7]⁠https://quiz.jenniferwoodwardnutrition.com/peptide-quiz⁠ [https://quiz.jenniferwoodwardnutrition.com/peptide-quiz] * 🎓 Enroll in the Peptides for Practitioners Certification Course and get $100 off for podcast subscribers: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.carrotsncake.com/offers/TrVo7mCz?coupon_code=PFPJENNIFER⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.carrotsncake.com/offers/TrVo7mCz?coupon_code=PFPJENNIFER] * 🧬 Want to pair GLP-1s with functional lab testing? ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://learn.jenniferwoodwardnutrition.com/invitation⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://learn.jenniferwoodwardnutrition.com/invitation] * 📩 Grab The Body Edit Guide here for full protocols, labs, and more: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://stan.store/jenniferwoodwardnutrition/p/get-the-body-edit⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://stan.store/jenniferwoodwardnutrition/p/get-the-body-edit] ‼️Disclaimer‼️ This podcast is for informational purposes only and does not provide medical advice. Always speak with your licensed healthcare provider before starting or changing any medication or treatment plan.

EPISODE 50: Are Peptides the Future of Medicine? Inside the Regulation, Research & Industry with Trevor Kruder

Welcome back to Peptides for Women podcast! In this episode, I’m joined by Trevor Kruder, CEO of Alpha Biomed Labs and owner of multiple pharmacy and peptide manufacturing businesses, to talk about the evolving world of peptides, manufacturing standards, regulation, and where peptide science may be headed next. Trevor shares how a personal healing experience led him into peptide research and manufacturing, and offers an inside look at how peptides move through research, compounding, production, and regulatory pathways. We also discuss emerging conversations around women’s health, metabolic health, oral peptide delivery systems, and the challenges of bringing peptide therapies into mainstream medicine. This conversation covers everything from sourcing and quality control to future possibilities in longevity, GLP-1 innovation, and access to peptide therapies. As always, this episode reflects personal experiences and perspectives shared during the conversation and is not intended as medical advice. In this episode, we cover: * Trevor’s personal story and how injury recovery led him into peptide research * The differences between research peptides, compounding pharmacies, and manufacturing facilities * What 503A and 503B facilities are, and why the distinction matters * Why sourcing, testing, sterility, and manufacturing standards are major conversations in the peptide industry * How peptide regulation and FDA pathways currently work * Why some peptide products remain difficult to commercialize * Trevor’s perspective on current peptide policy and future regulatory changes * The role of independent research, IRBs, and investigational studies * Emerging work around oral peptide delivery and bioavailability * The future potential of peptides beyond injections * GLP-1 medications, metabolic health, and personalized approaches to weight loss * The importance of experimentation under professional guidance and individualized protocols * Peptide accessibility, cost, and the future of broader adoption Connect with Trevor Kruder! * Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/trevorkruder/?hl=en [https://www.instagram.com/trevorkruder/?hl=en] * Website: https://www.trevorkruder.com/ [https://www.trevorkruder.com/] * YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TrevorKruder [https://www.youtube.com/@TrevorKruder] Links & Resources: * 🔗 Learn more at: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠elliemd.com/JenniferWoodwardNutrition⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [http://elliemd.com/JenniferWoodwardNutrition] * 🎯 Take my free peptide quiz and get a personalized, midlife-smart roadmap for the peptides that actually match your symptoms and goals: ⁠ [https://www.tryinteract.com/share/quiz/6862acd5df823500150c4ca7]https://quiz.jenniferwoodwardnutrition.com/peptide-quiz [https://quiz.jenniferwoodwardnutrition.com/peptide-quiz] * 🎓 Enroll in the Peptides for Practitioners Certification Course and get $100 off for podcast subscribers: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.carrotsncake.com/offers/TrVo7mCz?coupon_code=PFPJENNIFER⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.carrotsncake.com/offers/TrVo7mCz?coupon_code=PFPJENNIFER] * 🧬 Want to pair GLP-1s with functional lab testing? ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://learn.jenniferwoodwardnutrition.com/invitation⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://learn.jenniferwoodwardnutrition.com/invitation] * 📩 Grab The Body Edit Guide here for full protocols, labs, and more: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://stan.store/jenniferwoodwardnutrition/p/get-the-body-edit⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://stan.store/jenniferwoodwardnutrition/p/get-the-body-edit] ‼️Disclaimer‼️ This podcast is for informational purposes only and does not provide medical advice. Always speak with your licensed healthcare provider before starting or changing any medication or treatment plan.

EPISODE 49: The Future of Sustainable Weight Loss with Personalized GLP-1 Dosing with Dr. Ian Ellis

Welcome back to Peptides for Women podcast! In this episode, I’m joined by Dr. Ian Ellis, physician and founder of Voafit, to talk about his personal weight-loss journey, the challenges he experienced using traditional GLP-1 dosing protocols, and how those experiences led him to develop a personalized, level-based approach to GLP-1 treatment. After years of battling food noise, restrictive dieting, and the ups and downs of fitness culture, Dr. Ellis found himself confronting many of the same struggles his future patients would face. His experience sparked a deep dive into GLP-1 pharmacokinetics and ultimately led to the creation of a new dosing philosophy designed to minimize side effects, preserve lean mass, improve adherence, and create a more sustainable experience for patients. We also explore how individualized medicine could reshape the future of obesity treatment, and why finding the minimum effective dose may matter more than reaching the maximum tolerated dose. In this episode, we cover: * Dr. Ellis’ personal journey through weight struggles, bodybuilding culture, and medical training * How diet culture affects men differently, but often just as deeply * His first experience taking semaglutide and the side effects that followed standard dose escalation * The concept of GLP-1 accumulation and why the same dose may not feel the same week to week * Why traditional dosing protocols may not reflect individual patient responses * The idea behind “level-based dosing” and finding a personalized therapeutic sweet spot * Strategies aimed at reducing nausea, GI side effects, and medication burnout * The importance of preserving muscle mass during weight loss * Results and lessons learned from Dr. Ellis’ initial patient cohort * Why patient adherence remains one of the biggest challenges in GLP-1 treatment * How technology and personalized tracking could support more individualized care in the future * What clinicians should consider when patients struggle with side effects or plateauing * Dr. Ellis’ vision for the next generation of obesity medicine and personalized healthcare Connect with Dr. Ian Ellis! * Website: ⁠⁠⁠https://www.voafit.com/mylevel [https://www.voafit.com/mylevel] * Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/voafitmd/ [https://www.instagram.com/voafitmd/] Links & Resources: * 🔗 Learn more at: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠elliemd.com/JenniferWoodwardNutrition⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [http://elliemd.com/JenniferWoodwardNutrition] * 🎯 Take my free peptide quiz and get a personalized, midlife-smart roadmap for the peptides that actually match your symptoms and goals: ⁠ [https://www.tryinteract.com/share/quiz/6862acd5df823500150c4ca7]https://quiz.jenniferwoodwardnutrition.com/peptide-quiz [https://quiz.jenniferwoodwardnutrition.com/peptide-quiz] * 🎓 Enroll in the Peptides for Practitioners Certification Course and get $100 off for podcast subscribers: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.carrotsncake.com/offers/TrVo7mCz?coupon_code=PFPJENNIFER⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.carrotsncake.com/offers/TrVo7mCz?coupon_code=PFPJENNIFER] * 🧬 Want to pair GLP-1s with functional lab testing? ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://learn.jenniferwoodwardnutrition.com/invitation⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://learn.jenniferwoodwardnutrition.com/invitation] * 📩 Grab The Body Edit Guide here for full protocols, labs, and more: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://stan.store/jenniferwoodwardnutrition/p/get-the-body-edit⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://stan.store/jenniferwoodwardnutrition/p/get-the-body-edit] ‼️Disclaimer‼️ This podcast is for informational purposes only and does not provide medical advice. Always speak with your licensed healthcare provider before starting or changing any medication or treatment plan.

EPISODE 48: From Surviving a Brain Tumor to Thriving with Peptides with Kellie Hoover

Welcome back to Peptides for Women podcast! In this episode, I’m joined by Kellie Hoover, entrepreneur, former pharmaceutical sales representative, brain tumor survivor, wife, mom of two daughters, and passionate advocate for women's health and personal growth. Kellie shares her incredible journey from a successful pharmaceutical career through a life-altering brain tumor diagnosis that completely changed the way she approached health, wellness, and longevity. After refusing to accept a future dependent on stimulants and sleep medications, she began exploring nutrition, supplementation, and eventually peptides as tools to support her recovery and overall well-being. Our conversation dives deep into her experience with NAD+, glutathione, and GLP-1 therapies, including the emotional side of weight loss, overcoming food noise, navigating shame and stigma, and learning to trust herself around food again. We also explore how her health transformation inspired her business journey, leadership philosophy, and her commitment to helping women become just a little bit better every day. In this episode, we cover: • Kellie's journey as a brain tumor survivor and how it transformed her approach to health• Her 15-year career in pharmaceutical sales and early exposure to GLP-1 medications• Why she chose nutrition, supplements, and lifestyle changes instead of long-term medications• How NAD+ and glutathione became her introduction to peptide therapies• Living with ADHD and the surprising benefits she experienced from NAD+• The emotional and physical impact of food noise• Why so many women feel shame around seeking help for weight loss• Her personal GLP-1 microdosing experience and losing 33 pounds• How peptides helped improve her relationship with food• The confidence transformation that came with improved health• The importance of quality sourcing, education, and support when using peptides• Transitioning from peptide user to entrepreneur in the peptide industry• Building a business around purpose, impact, and serving women• Her "0.01% Better" philosophy for personal growth• Leadership, self-awareness, and serving others• Practical habits that support her success, including journaling, reading, faith, and intentional scheduling• Protecting your time, creating healthy boundaries, and staying present with family• Navigating the emotional transition of sending a child off to college• Why aligning your calendar with your values can transform your life Connect with Carrena Watts! * Website: https://wellness.kelliehoover.org/kellie-hoover [https://wellness.kelliehoover.org/kellie-hoover] * Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kelliehoover/ [https://www.instagram.com/kelliehoover/] Links & Resources: * 🔗 Learn more at: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠elliemd.com/JenniferWoodwardNutrition⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [http://elliemd.com/JenniferWoodwardNutrition] * 🎯 Take my free peptide quiz and get a personalized, midlife-smart roadmap for the peptides that actually match your symptoms and goals: ⁠ [https://www.tryinteract.com/share/quiz/6862acd5df823500150c4ca7]https://quiz.jenniferwoodwardnutrition.com/peptide-quiz [https://quiz.jenniferwoodwardnutrition.com/peptide-quiz] * 🎓 Enroll in the Peptides for Practitioners Certification Course and get $100 off for podcast subscribers: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.carrotsncake.com/offers/TrVo7mCz?coupon_code=PFPJENNIFER⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.carrotsncake.com/offers/TrVo7mCz?coupon_code=PFPJENNIFER] * 🧬 Want to pair GLP-1s with functional lab testing? ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://learn.jenniferwoodwardnutrition.com/invitation⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://learn.jenniferwoodwardnutrition.com/invitation] * 📩 Grab The Body Edit Guide here for full protocols, labs, and more: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://stan.store/jenniferwoodwardnutrition/p/get-the-body-edit⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://stan.store/jenniferwoodwardnutrition/p/get-the-body-edit] ‼️Disclaimer‼️ This podcast is for informational purposes only and does not provide medical advice. Always speak with your licensed healthcare provider before starting or changing any medication or treatment plan.

EPISODE 47: The Healing Power of Female Satisfaction and Peptides with Dr. Stephanie Rimka

Welcome back to Peptides for Women podcast! In this episode, I’m joined by Dr. Stephanie Rimka, a functional medicine practitioner, peptide educator, speaker, and author, to talk about her journey using peptides in clinical practice and how they’re transforming the future of health, longevity, mitochondria, metabolism, nervous system regulation, and women’s wellness. This conversation goes far beyond peptides alone. Dr. Rimka shares her philosophy around healing, communication within the body, mitochondrial health, trauma, female sexuality, nervous system safety, and why she believes modern medicine is missing the deeper picture of true healing. We also dive into emerging therapies like SS31, Clotho, and Cell Factors, and discuss why these molecules are creating so much excitement in the peptide and regenerative medicine space. We also explore the role of pleasure, orgasm, nervous system regulation, touch, trauma healing, and feminine energy in overall health, alongside a fascinating conversation around carnivore diet principles, metabolic health, and how Dr. Rimka personally structures her lifestyle for longevity and vitality. This is one of the most thought-provoking and wide-ranging conversations we’ve had on the show. In this episode, we cover: * How Dr. Rimka first became interested in peptides * Why she shifted her perspective on “natural vs pharmaceutical” * The role of peptides as communication signals in the body * What SS31 is and why it’s becoming a major topic in longevity medicine * Mitochondrial health and how mitochondria communicate throughout the body * How SS31 may support energy production, smell/taste recovery, and cellular repair * Why Dr. Rimka starts with mitochondrial support in complex chronic illness * What Clotho is and its connection to aging and longevity * Cell Factors, secretomes, and the future of regenerative medicine * Peptide receptor sensitivity and communication signaling * Thoughts on genetic testing, SNPs, and methylation * Nervous system safety and its role in female sexuality * Female orgasm, oxytocin, and healing physiology * Trauma, somatic therapies, and fascial release work * PT141 and sexual health conversations * Dr. Rimka’s experience with the carnivore diet * Carnivore diet as an elimination approach for autoimmune and gut issues * Oxalates, glyphosate, and mitochondrial stress * Steak, oysters, zinc, and libido support * Lifestyle design, creating a life aligned with joy, pleasure, creativity, and feminine energy * Empowering parents navigating ADHD, autism, anxiety, and sensory disorders Connect with Dr. Stephanie Rimka! * Website: https://drrimka.com/ [https://drrimka.com/] * Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dr_rimka/ [https://www.instagram.com/dr_rimka/] Links & Resources: * 🔗 Learn more at: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠elliemd.com/JenniferWoodwardNutrition⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [http://elliemd.com/JenniferWoodwardNutrition] * 🎯 Take my free peptide quiz and get a personalized, midlife-smart roadmap for the peptides that actually match your symptoms and goals: ⁠ [https://www.tryinteract.com/share/quiz/6862acd5df823500150c4ca7]https://quiz.jenniferwoodwardnutrition.com/peptide-quiz [https://quiz.jenniferwoodwardnutrition.com/peptide-quiz] * 🎓 Enroll in the Peptides for Practitioners Certification Course and get $100 off for podcast subscribers: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.carrotsncake.com/offers/TrVo7mCz?coupon_code=PFPJENNIFER⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.carrotsncake.com/offers/TrVo7mCz?coupon_code=PFPJENNIFER] * 🧬 Want to pair GLP-1s with functional lab testing? ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://learn.jenniferwoodwardnutrition.com/invitation⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://learn.jenniferwoodwardnutrition.com/invitation] * 📩 Grab The Body Edit Guide here for full protocols, labs, and more: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://stan.store/jenniferwoodwardnutrition/p/get-the-body-edit⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://stan.store/jenniferwoodwardnutrition/p/get-the-body-edit] ‼️Disclaimer‼️ This podcast is for informational purposes only and does not provide medical advice. Always speak with your licensed healthcare provider before starting or changing any medication or treatment plan.