Peptides for Women

EPISODE 46: How Peptides Helped This Couple Reclaim Their Health From Breast Cancer with Colin & Aleah Dechant

Welcome back to Peptides for Women podcast! In this episode, I’m joined by Colin and Aleah Dechant- wellness coaches, peptide advocates, and functional health practitioners- to talk about their deeply personal journey through breast cancer recovery, burnout, metabolic dysfunction, midlife health challenges, and the powerful role peptides played in helping them rebuild their lives and health together. After Aleah was diagnosed with breast cancer just days after her 40th birthday, the Dechant family chose an integrative path forward that completely changed the trajectory of their lives. What began as a healing journey quickly became a passion for functional medicine, peptide therapy, metabolic health, and helping other women and men feel vibrant again in midlife. This conversation dives into functional lab testing, hormone dysfunction, inflammation, body composition, emotional resilience, peptide stacks, metabolic healing, relationships, confidence, and why feeling good again in your 40s and 50s is absolutely possible. In this episode, we cover: * Aleah’s breast cancer diagnosis shortly after turning 40 and why she chose an integrative oncology approach instead of conventional treatment alone * How peptides like GHK-Cu were introduced during cancer recovery * The role of peptides in tissue repair, recovery, and healing support * Colin’s perspective supporting his wife and family during treatment and how the entire family navigated cancer treatment together * What functional lab testing revealed about Aleah’s hormones, inflammation, liver detox pathways, and gut health * High estrogen, poor estrogen metabolism, sluggish detoxification, and inflammatory pathways on DUTCH testing * How functional testing helped uncover years of hidden dysfunction * Why Aleah became an FDN practitioner after her healing journey * Colin’s experience with career burnout after 25 years in management and leaving corporate life behind and relocating their family to Arizona * The importance of family support and making big life decisions together * How peptides helped Colin improve energy, sleep, recovery, body composition, and joint pain * Colin’s peptide experience with L-carnitine, glutathione, BPC-157, and TB-500 * Aleah’s experience using microdosed tirzepatide for inflammation and metabolic healing after cancer treatment * The differences they noticed between research peptides and pharmacy-compounded peptides * Why women deserve to feel good AND look good without guilt * Men’s perspective on aging, performance, energy, and confidence * How improving health transformed their marriage, family dynamic, and confidence * The peptide stacks they’re currently using and experimenting with: KLOW peptide stack, glutathione, tirzepatide, BPC-157, TB-500, and more * Building a wellness business together focused on helping midlife women and men thrive Connect with Colin & Aleah Dechant! * Aleah's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/functionalhealthwithaleah/ [https://www.instagram.com/functionalhealthwithaleah/] * Colin's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wyw2bcoaching/ [https://www.instagram.com/wyw2bcoaching/] 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 45: Why Women Feel Exhausted, Invisible & Disconnected in Midlife with Dr. Angela Petersen

Welcome back to Peptides for Women podcast! In this episode, I’m joined by Dr. Angela Petersen, a practitioner and author focused on helping women restore metabolic balance, optimize hormones, improve libido, and reclaim vitality through peptides, lifestyle medicine, and root-cause healing. We dive into the deeper issues impacting women’s health today- from hormone dysfunction and birth control to metabolic disease, libido loss, brain health, and the emotional toll of modern life. Dr. Angela shares her perspective on why so many women feel disconnected from their bodies, relationships, and energy levels, and how peptides, hormone optimization, and foundational health practices can help women feel like themselves again. In this episode, we cover: * Why modern healthcare often feels like “sick care” instead of healthcare * The inspiration behind Dr. Angela’s book, The Wellness Glitch * Foundations Before Injections: why root-cause healing matters * The biggest signs of perimenopause women shouldn’t ignore * Why testosterone is often overlooked in women’s hormone health * Top hormone labs women should ask their doctors to run * How progesterone supports sleep, anxiety, and emotional balance * The long-term concerns surrounding hormonal birth control * The connection between libido, relationships, and overall vitality * How SSRIs may impact sexual function and desire * Peptides for libido, arousal, and sexual wellness * PT141, Kisspeptin, Oxytocin, and nitric oxide support * Why gut health matters for oxytocin production and bonding * Tirzepatide for metabolic health, confidence, and brain protection * Peptides and strategies for cognitive health and neuroprotection * Why blood sugar regulation is critical for preventing cognitive decline * The importance of estrogen for brain, bone, and heart health * Concerns about statins, cholesterol, and women’s brain health * Practical ways women can improve vitality, confidence, and longevity Connect with Dr. Angela Petersen! * Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://ampdhealth.net/ [https://ampdhealth.net/] * Twitter/X: http://x.com/fixtheglitchnow [http://x.com/fixtheglitchnow] * Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/amplified_total_wellness/ [https://www.instagram.com/amplified_total_wellness/?g=5] * Phone number: 385-486-4181 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 44: The Missing Link Between GLP-1 Precision Dosing, Circadian Rhythm & Gut Health with Dr. Melissa Petersen

Welcome back to the Peptides for Women podcast! In this episode, I’m joined by Dr. Melissa Petersen, founder and CEO of Human Longevity Global and president of Peptide University. She’s a global authority in longevity medicine and metabolic innovation, and fun fact, she’s also the practitioner who originally introduced me to peptides years ago! So this conversation feels like a full-circle moment, diving even deeper into the science, strategy, and philosophy behind these powerful tools. We explore how peptides and GLP-1s actually work in the body, why precision dosing matters more than ever, and the biggest mistakes both clinicians and patients are making right now. Plus, we get into the often-overlooked foundations: circadian rhythm, nervous system regulation, and metabolic inputs, that ultimately determine whether peptides work… or don’t. In this episode, we cover: * The origin story behind Human Longevity Institute and Peptide University * What peptides actually are (and why thinking in “molecules” changes everything) * GLP-1s explained: why they’re revolutionary—and where things are going wrong * Precision dosing vs. standard dosing (and why “less is more”) * The real reason GLP-1 side effects happen and how to avoid them * Foundational gut support before starting peptides (enzymes, nutrients, hydration) * Simple, budget-friendly ways to improve digestion and metabolic health * Circadian rhythm as the missing link in weight loss, sleep, and hormone balance * Why timing (when you eat, sleep, and move) matters more than what you do * The impact of light exposure, nervous system regulation, and daily inputs * Why peptides “stop working” and what’s actually happening in the body * The BioHealthSpan framework: inputs → terrain → targeted interventions → amplification * How to think about health as a system, not a quick fix Connect with Dr. Melissa Petersen! * Website: ⁠⁠⁠https://docmelissa.com/ [https://docmelissa.com/] * Peptide University: https://mypeptideuniversity.com/ [https://mypeptideuniversity.com/] * Human Longevity Institute: https://humanlongevityinstitute.com/ [https://humanlongevityinstitute.com/] * Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/drmelissagp/ [https://www.instagram.com/drmelissagp/] 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 43: Your Biggest Peptide Questions Answered! Real Talk + Q&A with Samantha Lander

Welcome back to Peptides for Women podcast! In this episode, I’m joined once again by returning guest Samantha Lander, a Functional Diagnostic Nutrition Practitioner, wellness coach, DJ, and founder of SeeFit Living, to answer your biggest peptide questions straight from our community. We’re diving into the real-world conversations women are having around peptides right now: from GLP-1s and weight loss resistance to libido, sleep, mitochondria, inflammation, gut health, and healthy aging. Samantha and I also talk about the importance of foundations like protein, minerals, hormone balance, stress management, and gut health before relying on peptides as a “magic fix.” We break down some of the most common misconceptions around peptides, discuss how different peptides work in the body, and share practical insights from both our personal experiences and clinical work with women in perimenopause and midlife. If you’ve been curious about peptides but overwhelmed by conflicting information online, this episode is packed with honest conversation, education, and practical nuance. In this episode, we cover: * Why GLP-1s sometimes “stop working” * The biggest mistakes women make while using peptides * How under-eating can stall weight loss on GLP-1s * Retatrutide vs. Tirzepatide * Mitochondrial health and metabolic resistance * MOT-C, SS31, SLUP, AOD, and other metabolic peptides * Why gut health matters for peptide effectiveness * Histamine reactions, estrogen dominance, and peptide sensitivity * GHK-Cu copper peptides for skin health and collagen support * NAD, glutathione, and longevity support * Beef organs, minerals, and foundational health strategies * PT141 for female libido and sexual wellness * Why stress and burnout impact libido more than hormones alone * DSIP for sleep and circadian rhythm support * Peptides for immune modulation and recovery * Thymosin Alpha-1, KPV, BPC157, and autoimmune considerations * The future of peptides and increasing FDA regulation Connect with Samantha Lander! * Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/seefitliving [https://www.instagram.com/seefitliving] 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 42: Why Midlife Weight Gain Isn’t Your Fault (and What to Do) with Erin Goodman

Welcome back to Peptides for Women podcast! In this episode, I’m joined by Erin Goodman, a master fitness trainer, nutrition coach, and Beachbody Live Master Trainer, to talk about her personal journey with peptides and how microdosing helped her break through stubborn weight gain while preserving muscle. After over two decades in the fitness industry, Erin found herself doing “all the right things” - tracking macros, strength training, and staying active - yet still gaining weight and feeling stuck. In this conversation, she shares how she shifted from skepticism to education, ultimately using peptides as a tool to support her already strong foundation. We also explore how peptides can complement (not replace!) key health habits like protein intake, resistance training, and consistency. Erin offers practical, real-life strategies she uses with her clients to simplify nutrition, improve adherence, and create sustainable results without extremes. In this episode, we cover: * Why “doing everything right” can still lead to weight gain in midlife * How microdosing tirzepatide helped her lose 25 lbs and 10% body fat * The importance of using data (like body composition) instead of just the scale * How peptides reduce food noise and improve consistency * Why protein intake is a non-negotiable and how to increase it realistically * Simple macro tracking strategies (without overwhelm) * Meal prep tips to save time, money, and decision fatigue * Common mistakes women make with macros (and how to fix them) * Erin’s experience stacking peptides (GHK-Cu, BPC-157, Tesamorelin/Ipamorelin) * Real client results and why microdosing works so well for 10–25 lb goals * The importance of community, accountability, and support in long-term success Connect with Erin Goodman! * Website: ⁠⁠https://www.workwithresultsmatter.com/links [https://www.workwithresultsmatter.com/links] * Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_eringoodman/⁠⁠ [https://www.instagram.com/_eringoodman/] * Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/erin.goodmanfurner/ [https://www.facebook.com/erin.goodmanfurner/] 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.