Best of The Body Pod: Should We Be Taking Estrogen, Progesterone, AND Testosterone with Dr. Heather Hirsch

Best of The Body Pod: Should We Be Taking Estrogen, Progesterone, AND Testosterone with Dr. Heather Hirsch

As part of our Best of the Body Pod series, we're revisiting one of our favorite Body Pod conversations with one of our favorite guests. So many women think they have to wait until they've gone a full year without a period before hormone therapy is even on the table, but Dr. Heather Hirsch, founder of Join the Collaborative, says that's one of the most persistent myths in women's health. Her breakdown of the THRIVE Method and how to actually approach hormone decisions is just as useful now as it was the first time this episode aired. In this episode of The Body Pod, hosts Hailey and Laura sit down with Dr. Hirsch for a wide-ranging conversation on perimenopause and menopause care, digging into her THRIVE Method: a framework for approaching hormone decisions through tracking symptoms, reviewing health history, researching safety data, and investigating one hormone at a time. The discussion digs into testosterone therapy for women (still, as Dr. Hirsch puts it, a "data-free zone"), the safety and underuse of vaginal estrogen even in women already on systemic hormones, and the physiology behind genitourinary syndrome of menopause (GSM). She also makes the case that bone health deserves the same proactive treatment women's health gives to conditions like pre-diabetes, and highlights the growing role of strength training in protecting bone density during midlife. For women who aren't ready for (or can't use) hormone therapy, Dr. Hirsch outlines a tiered approach starting with lifestyle changes and supplements before moving to non-hormonal medications or hormone therapy itself. She closes with a reassuring message: hormone therapy doesn't have to be all-or-nothing, and can be trialed short-term before making a longer-term decision. Listeners can find Dr. Hirsch at Join the Collaborative jointhecollaborative.com [https://jointhecollaborative.com/] and on Instagram @HeatherHirschMD. Hailey Happens Fitness Membership is the only fitness investment that grows with you! Get instant access to my full training system and design a training year that fits your midlife goals and body. Start training with a 10-day free trial → [https://www.haileyhappensfitness.com/hhfmembership?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=shownotes&utm_campaign=membership] Finish 2026 Strong. Two expert-led ways to close out the year, each with a community of women learning and training beside you. Be first in line → [https://mailchi.mp/haileyhappensfitness/2026planyouryear?utm_source=midroll&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=vip2026] when we open doors for early access to Fat Loss Happens Education course and the Shred Happens challenge.

Best of The Body Pod: Why Foot Strength Is Key to Balance, Power & Aging Well for Women with Dr. Courtney Conley

We're revisiting one of our favorite Body Pod conversations as part of our Best of the Body Pod series. Dr. Courtney Conley makes the case that most women's balance, hip, and knee issues actually start at the feet, not the joint that hurts. Her breakdown of why weak feet and years of restrictive footwear throw off everything up the chain, from pelvic stability to how your brain reads the ground under you, is worth another listen. Many women deal with chronic pain, plantar fasciitis, poor squat mechanics, and a higher fall risk without ever realizing their feet are the root cause. We break down how modern footwear, weak feet, loss of sensory input, and overreliance on orthotics can disrupt movement patterns, pelvic stability, hormone regulation, and nervous system function. Dr. Conley explains the powerful connection between the feet, pelvis, core, and brain, and why rebuilding foot strength is essential for aging well, preventing injuries, and maintaining confidence in movement. This conversation delivers practical, realistic strategies for improving foot strength and mobility, including footwear choices, toe strength exercises, calf training, balance work, and safe transitions away from orthotics. Whether you're dealing with foot pain, instability, or want to build a stronger body from the ground up, this episode offers actionable insights to help women move better and stay resilient for decades. Hailey Happens Fitness Membership is the only fitness investment that grows with you! Get instant access to my full training system and design a training year that fits your midlife goals and body. Start training with a 10-day free trial → [https://www.haileyhappensfitness.com/hhfmembership?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=shownotes&utm_campaign=membership] Finish 2026 Strong. Two expert-led ways to close out the year, each with a community of women learning and training beside you. Be first in line → [https://mailchi.mp/haileyhappensfitness/2026planyouryear?utm_source=midroll&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=vip2026] when we open doors for early access to Fat Loss Happens Education course and the Shred Happens challenge.

Best of The Body Pod: Women’s Joint Health, Hormones, and Strength Training for Longevity with Dr. Jocelyn Wittstein

We're revisiting one of our favorite Body Pod conversations as part of our Best of the Body Pod series. Joint pain and stiffness tend to get written off as just getting older, but orthopedic surgeon Dr. Jocelyn Wittstein makes the case that so much of it comes down to estrogen, muscle mass, and how you train, not just age. Her strategies for protecting your joints through perimenopause and menopause are just as useful now as they were the first time this episode aired. Dr. Wittstein breaks down how women can protect, strengthen, and maintain joint health through every stage of life, including the connection between estrogen, inflammation, bone density, muscle mass, and recovery. She shares strategies for training smart for joint longevity, including how to modify workouts for joint pain, improve mobility and flexibility, and build strong bones and resilient muscles with strength and impact training. We also uncover what the latest science says about collagen supplements, arthritis prevention, and how hormonal changes influence joint stability and injury risk. Whether you're navigating midlife, recovering from joint pain, or simply want to stay strong, mobile, and active, this episode will help you optimize your training and longevity through smarter, evidence-based strategies. Hailey Happens Fitness Membership is the only fitness investment that grows with you! Get instant access to my full training system and design a training year that fits your midlife goals and body. Start training with a 10-day free trial → [https://www.haileyhappensfitness.com/hhfmembership?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=shownotes&utm_campaign=membership] Finish 2026 Strong. Two expert-led ways to close out the year, each with a community of women learning and training beside you. Be first in line → [https://mailchi.mp/haileyhappensfitness/2026planyouryear?utm_source=midroll&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=vip2026] when we open doors for early access to Fat Loss Happens Education course and the Shred Happens challenge.

Best Of The Body Pod - Rethinking Nighttime Nutrition: Dr. Mike Ormsbee on Sleep, Metabolism & Fat Loss

We're bringing back one of our most fascinating and myth-busting episodes as part of our Best of the Body Pod series. The science of nutrition continues to evolve, and this conversation challenged many long-held beliefs about eating before bed. Because the research and practical takeaways remain just as relevant today, we knew it was worth another listen. Can eating before bed really help you burn fat, sleep better, and build muscle? In this eye-opening episode, Dr. Mike Ormsbee joins us to explore the science of nighttime nutrition, revealing how the right bedtime snacks can actually support metabolism, recovery, and weight loss, especially for active women and endurance athletes. Tune in as we debunk common myths about late-night eating, discuss research-backed strategies for pre-sleep fueling, and share real-life success stories that challenge conventional fitness advice. Whether you're looking to improve body composition, enhance recovery, optimize sleep, or better understand the connection between nutrition and performance, this episode is packed with actionable insights you can put into practice right away. Hailey Happens Fitness Membership is the only fitness investment that grows with you! Get instant access to my full training system and design a training year that fits your midlife goals and body. Start training with a 10-day free trial → [https://www.haileyhappensfitness.com/hhfmembership?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=shownotes&utm_campaign=membership] Finish 2026 Strong. Two expert-led ways to close out the year, each with a community of women learning and training beside you. Be first in line → [https://mailchi.mp/haileyhappensfitness/2026planyouryear?utm_source=midroll&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=vip2026] when we open doors for early access to Fat Loss Happens Education course and the Shred Happens challenge.

Best Of The Body Pod - Women and Creatine: Everything You Need to Know w/ Dr. Darren Candow - Benefits, Myths & More

We're revisiting one of our most downloaded and frequently referenced episodes as part of our Best of the Body Pod series. Because creatine continues to be one of the most researched (and misunderstood) supplements in women's health and fitness, we knew this conversation was worth sharing again. The evidence-based insights in this episode remain just as valuable today. In this episode, Dr. Candow breaks down everything women need to know about creatine supplementation, including its benefits, common misconceptions, and how it can support muscle growth, strength, recovery, and performance. Whether you're a fitness enthusiast or just starting to explore creatine, his expert insights will help you make informed decisions about integrating it into your routine. He also tackles the most common myths surrounding creatine, offering clear answers to help you separate fact from fiction. This episode is a must-listen for any woman interested in fitness nutrition, healthy aging, strength training, and performance enhancement. Recording note: This episode was recorded live and as a result you may notice a few minor background noises.  Hailey Happens Fitness Membership is the only fitness investment that grows with you! Get instant access to my full training system and design a training year that fits your midlife goals and body. Start training with a 10-day free trial → [https://www.haileyhappensfitness.com/hhfmembership?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=shownotes&utm_campaign=membership] Finish 2026 Strong. Two expert-led ways to close out the year, each with a community of women learning and training beside you. Be first in line → [https://mailchi.mp/haileyhappensfitness/2026planyouryear?utm_source=midroll&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=vip2026] when we open doors for early access to Fat Loss Happens Education course and the Shred Happens challenge.