196: High Cortisol: The Signs, What It’s Doing to Your Body & What To Do About It

196: High Cortisol: The Signs, What It’s Doing to Your Body & What To Do About It

196: High Cortisol: The Signs, What It’s Doing to Your Body & What To Do About It Feeling tired but wired? Waking up at 2–3am? Holding stubborn belly fat, bloating, tension, or feeling constantly “on”? This episode breaks down the real signs of high cortisol — including the unexpected symptoms many women don’t realise are linked to chronic stress. Lisa explains what cortisol actually does in the body, why midlife makes stress feel heavier, and how high cortisol can contribute to symptoms like poor sleep, anxiety, inflammation, stubborn weight, digestive issues, and what she calls Armour Weight™. Because your body isn’t broken. It’s overloaded. In This Episode: • What cortisol actually is (in simple terms) • The common signs of high cortisol • The surprising signs no one talks about (puffy face, body odour, constipation, waking at 2–3am and more) • Why perimenopause makes stress harder on the body • How chronic stress impacts weight, sleep, digestion and recovery • Why more cardio and restriction often make things worse • What to do instead to lower cortisol naturally The Key Message You don’t need more discipline. You need more safety. And when your body feels safe again… everything starts to shift. Ready to Reset? Lisa is running The Quickening LIVE on Monday 4th May — a simple nervous system reset designed to help women step out of survival mode. If you’re feeling wired, exhausted, overwhelmed, or stuck… This is your next step. 🔗www.warriorgoddesskettlebelltraining.com/quickening Quickening Ad May 4th Be sure to connect with Lisa Barwise and Warrior Goddess Kettlebell Training on social media: Instagram @lisa_barwise @wgkettlebelltraining Facebook www.facebook.com/warriorgoddesskettlebelltraining Youtube https://www.youtube.com/warriorgoddesskettlebelltraining [https://www.youtube.com/warriorgoddesskettlebelltraining] What you can do to help the Podcast? If this podcast means anything to you and you want to support it.  Simply Subscribe & Review in Apple Podcasts. Apple Podcasts is one of the only platforms where you can both subscribe and review. How to Subscribe or Follow The Podcast 1. Open Apple Podcast App. 2. Go to the icons at the bottom of the screen and choose “search 3. Search for “Goddess Got Goals” 4. Hit the top Right Hand "+" sign 5. Open Spotify 6. Search for “Goddess Got Goals” 7. Hit the 'Follow' underneath the image How to Leave a Podcast Review 1. Open Apple Podcast App. 2. Go to the icons at the bottom of the screen and choose “search” 3. Search for “Goddess Got Goals” 4. Click on the SHOW, not the episode. 5. Scroll all the way down to “Ratings and Reviews” 6. Click on “Write a Review” This is the best way for us to reach more people and of course let us know that our episodes mean something to you! And of cours...

195: Why Everything Feels Worse Right Now (It’s Not Just Your Hormones)

Why Everything Feels Worse Right Now (It’s Not Just Your Hormones) If you’ve been feeling more tired, more anxious, more inflamed… like your body just isn’t responding the way it used to… This episode is for you. Because it’s not just perimenopause. And it’s not because you’re doing something wrong. In this episode, I’m breaking down: * Why symptoms like fatigue, brain fog, pain and weight gain can feel worse right now * What’s actually happening in your body during perimenopause (in a simple, real way) * How stress, tension and years of “holding it all together” are impacting your nervous system * Why things that used to work… don’t anymore * And why pushing harder is making it worse (not better) We also go deeper into something that doesn’t get talked about enough: How the world has changed over the last few years… and how that’s impacting women,  especially in midlife, on a nervous system level. If you’ve been feeling like you’ve disappeared a bit from yourself… This will help you understand why,  and what to do about it. 🔥 Ready for a reset? I’m currently running a live round of The Quickening, a simple 3-day nervous system reset to help you: * Feel calm and clear again * Reduce overwhelm and tension * Reconnect with yourself * And finally follow through (without forcing it) ✔ 10 minute sessions ✔ 10 minute practices ✔ Nothing overwhelming ✔ Starts working within minutes We start Monday 4th May and you’ll have 7 days access as we do this together. 👉 Join here: www.warriorgoddesskettlebelltraining.com/quickening Quickening Ad May 4th Be sure to connect with Lisa Barwise and Warrior Goddess Kettlebell Training on social media: Instagram @lisa_barwise @wgkettlebelltraining Facebook www.facebook.com/warriorgoddesskettlebelltraining Youtube https://www.youtube.com/warriorgoddesskettlebelltraining [https://www.youtube.com/warriorgoddesskettlebelltraining] What you can do to help the Podcast? If this podcast means anything to you and you want to support it.  Simply Subscribe & Review in Apple Podcasts. Apple Podcasts is one of the only platforms where you can both subscribe and review. How to Subscribe or Follow The Podcast 1. Open Apple Podcast App. 2. Go to the icons at the bottom of the screen and choose “search 3. Search for “Goddess Got Goals” 4. Hit the top Right Hand "+" sign 5. Open Spotify 6. Search for “Goddess Got Goals” 7. Hit the 'Follow' underneath the image How to Leave a Podcast Review 1. Open Apple Podcast App. 2. Go to the icons at the bottom of the screen and choose “search” 3. Search for “Goddess Got Goals” 4. Click on the SHOW, not the episode. 5. Scroll all the way down to “Ratings and Reviews” 6. Click on “Write a Review” This is the best way for us to reach more people and of course let us know that our episodes mean something to you! And of cours...

194: Armour Weight & Imposter Syndrome

194: Armour Weight & Imposter Syndrome “Who do I think I am?” “I’m not enough…” “I need to be better first…” If you’ve ever had those thoughts, you’re not alone. But what if imposter syndrome isn’t a confidence problem at all? In this episode, Lisa explores how imposter syndrome is often rooted in something deeper — the belief “I am not enough” — and how this becomes a form of Armour Weight™ that keeps women playing small, holding back, and second guessing themselves. Because this isn’t about capability. It’s about protection. In This Episode • Why imposter syndrome is not a lack of confidence • The hidden belief “I am not enough” and how it shapes behaviour • How Armour Weight™ shows up in your thoughts, not just your body • Why midlife amplifies self-doubt and identity shifts • The connection between nervous system safety and visibility • Why pushing harder or “faking confidence” doesn’t work • What actually helps you move through fear and self-doubt The Key Message You are not an imposter. You are outgrowing an old belief. And the voice that says “I’m not enough” isn’t truth… It’s protection. Ready to Do the Deeper Work? If this episode resonated and you’re ready to stop holding back, second guessing, or playing small… This is exactly the work Lisa does inside the Consistency Coven. A layered approach to rebuilding self-trust, confidence, and consistency — across your nervous system, identity, and habits. 🔗 Book a Connection Call www.warriorgoddesskettlebelltraining.com/watch Quickening Ad May 4th Be sure to connect with Lisa Barwise and Warrior Goddess Kettlebell Training on social media: Instagram @lisa_barwise @wgkettlebelltraining Facebook www.facebook.com/warriorgoddesskettlebelltraining Youtube https://www.youtube.com/warriorgoddesskettlebelltraining [https://www.youtube.com/warriorgoddesskettlebelltraining] What you can do to help the Podcast? If this podcast means anything to you and you want to support it.  Simply Subscribe & Review in Apple Podcasts. Apple Podcasts is one of the only platforms where you can both subscribe and review. How to Subscribe or Follow The Podcast 1. Open Apple Podcast App. 2. Go to the icons at the bottom of the screen and choose “search 3. Search for “Goddess Got Goals” 4. Hit the top Right Hand "+" sign 5. Open Spotify 6. Search for “Goddess Got Goals” 7. Hit the 'Follow' underneath the image How to Leave a Podcast Review 1. Open Apple Podcast App. 2. Go to the icons at the bottom of the screen and choose “search” 3. Search for “Goddess Got Goals” 4. Click on the SHOW, not the episode. 5. Scroll all the way down to “Ratings and Reviews” 6. Click on “Write a Review” This is the best way for us to reach more people and of course let us know that our episodes mean something to you! And of cours...

193: Bringing Simple Back

193: Bringing Simple Back Somewhere along the way… wellness got complicated. More rules. More plans. More pressure. More things to track, fix, optimise. And yet… women feel more overwhelmed, more inconsistent, and more disconnected than ever. In this episode, Lisa shares why she’s bringing simple back — and how this led to the creation of the new Sexy Strong Membership and the Forged Method. Because midlife doesn’t need more complexity. It needs clarity, structure, and simplicity that actually works. In This Episode • Why most wellness plans fail in midlife • The problem with overcomplication and “doing too much” • Why simple ≠ basic (it’s actually advanced) • The foundations that actually create strength and body change • The thinking behind the Forged Method • How to build consistency without overwhelm The Key Message You don’t need more information. You need a simpler, more aligned way to follow through. Ready to Simplify? If you’re feeling overwhelmed, stuck, or like you’ve tried everything… Start here: ✨ Take the Free Wellness Reset Audit www.warriorgoddesskettlebelltraining.com/audit Or come and join the community: ✨ Join the Warrior Goddess Community www.warriorgoddesskettlebelltraining.com/tribe Quickening Ad May 4th Be sure to connect with Lisa Barwise and Warrior Goddess Kettlebell Training on social media: Instagram @lisa_barwise @wgkettlebelltraining Facebook www.facebook.com/warriorgoddesskettlebelltraining Youtube https://www.youtube.com/warriorgoddesskettlebelltraining [https://www.youtube.com/warriorgoddesskettlebelltraining] What you can do to help the Podcast? If this podcast means anything to you and you want to support it.  Simply Subscribe & Review in Apple Podcasts. Apple Podcasts is one of the only platforms where you can both subscribe and review. How to Subscribe or Follow The Podcast 1. Open Apple Podcast App. 2. Go to the icons at the bottom of the screen and choose “search 3. Search for “Goddess Got Goals” 4. Hit the top Right Hand "+" sign 5. Open Spotify 6. Search for “Goddess Got Goals” 7. Hit the 'Follow' underneath the image How to Leave a Podcast Review 1. Open Apple Podcast App. 2. Go to the icons at the bottom of the screen and choose “search” 3. Search for “Goddess Got Goals” 4. Click on the SHOW, not the episode. 5. Scroll all the way down to “Ratings and Reviews” 6. Click on “Write a Review” This is the best way for us to reach more people and of course let us know that our episodes mean something to you! And of cours...

192: Armour Weight and Your Brain

Armour Weight & Your Brain (Brain Fog, ADHD & Midlife Rewiring) If you’ve been feeling foggy, overwhelmed, forgetful or like you’ve “lost your edge”… This episode is for you. Because this isn’t just brain fog. It’s what happens when mental load, stress, and hormonal shifts collide in midlife. In this episode, Lisa explores how your brain changes during perimenopause, why focus and clarity can feel harder, and how what she calls Armour Weight™ shows up not just in the body — but in the mind. In This Episode • Why brain fog is not laziness — it’s protection • How chronic stress impacts memory, focus, and decision-making • The mental load women carry (and why it overwhelms the brain) • How estrogen affects serotonin, dopamine, and calm • ADHD in midlife and why symptoms can intensify after 40 • Why “just be more consistent” doesn’t work for a dysregulated brain • What actually helps: regulation, support, and reducing load The Key Message You are not losing your mind. Your brain is adapting. And when you start working with it instead of against it, clarity, focus, and energy begin to return. Ready for Support? If this episode resonated and your brain feels constantly “on” or overloaded… This is exactly the work we do inside the Consistency Coven. A layered approach to strength, regulation, and sustainable change across your biology, psychology, and nervous system. ⚡ There is 1 spot remaining for this intake. 🔗 Book a Connection Call www.warriorgoddesskettlebelltraining.com/watch Quickening Ad May 4th Be sure to connect with Lisa Barwise and Warrior Goddess Kettlebell Training on social media: Instagram @lisa_barwise @wgkettlebelltraining Facebook www.facebook.com/warriorgoddesskettlebelltraining Youtube https://www.youtube.com/warriorgoddesskettlebelltraining [https://www.youtube.com/warriorgoddesskettlebelltraining] What you can do to help the Podcast? If this podcast means anything to you and you want to support it.  Simply Subscribe & Review in Apple Podcasts. Apple Podcasts is one of the only platforms where you can both subscribe and review. How to Subscribe or Follow The Podcast 1. Open Apple Podcast App. 2. Go to the icons at the bottom of the screen and choose “search 3. Search for “Goddess Got Goals” 4. Hit the top Right Hand "+" sign 5. Open Spotify 6. Search for “Goddess Got Goals” 7. Hit the 'Follow' underneath the image How to Leave a Podcast Review 1. Open Apple Podcast App. 2. Go to the icons at the bottom of the screen and choose “search” 3. Search for “Goddess Got Goals” 4. Click on the SHOW, not the episode. 5. Scroll all the way down to “Ratings and Reviews” 6. Click on “Write a Review” This is the best way for us to reach more people and of course let us know that our episodes mean something to you! And of cours...