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***TOP 2% GLOBAL PODCAST*** The Go-to Podcast for Midlife Women Who Want To Balance Hormones Naturally Ugh. I feel so bloated. I’m retaining more water than the Hoover Dam. What? Not another pimple? It’s like puberty all over again! Sleep? What’s that like? (I forget.:＜) Umm, I just turned 40….. Aren’t I too young for this?!? — Hello Friend. (Can I call you “friend”? ‘Cuz we’re already friends in my head:) Welcome to Are You There, Midlife? It’s Me, Monica. I’m Monica Lane Topete, Certified Nutrition Coach Coach, Peri+ Menopause Educator, Personal Trainer, NASM Behavior Change Specialist, and Hormone Imbalance Survivor. And I’m on a mission to help women in mid life balance their hormones naturally without drugs, doctors (or divorce!) It wasn’t too long ago when perimenopause came crashing through my door with a ton of luggage (‘cuz she was prepared to stay for A WHILE!) I remember how overwhelmed, anxious, and pretty much clueless I was about what was happening to my body…and how desperate I was for a diagnosis! But, after SEVERAL visits to my doctor who gave me a clean bill of health and lab results that came back “within normal range,” I finally decided to take my health into my own hands. I spent OVER A YEAR combing through PubMed research studies, taking online courses in naturopathy and functional medicine, and becoming my own human guinea pig to crack the hormone code and create a research-based program that really worked to balance my hormones, put the kibosh on perimenopause symptoms, and lose stubborn weight–and keep it off–for more than 10 years! And now, I want to share it with you. Join me as I demystify the hormonal transition in midlife and spill the ”tea” on what to expect when you’re expecting perimenopause…and beyond. From anxiety to insomnia, body fat to funky body odor (yeah, that’s a thing!), I’ll unpack all the ”weird stuff” going on inside our midlife bodies, plus give you the latest science and holistic solutions to balance it all. ...Are you tired of dealing with heavy, painful periods that look like a crime scene?… ...Or struggling with symptoms like chronic headaches, fatigue, or brain fog that….(What was I saying again?).... ...Are you beyond frustrated doing “all the things” to lose weight—but are still packing on the pounds faster than a sumo wrestler in training Then, girl, you’re in the right place.:) There IS a way you can balance your hormones naturally that doesn’t involve band-aid solutions like antidepressants or birth control pills (which are a BIG mistake! HUGE!)...and that only provide temporary relief without fixing the root problem. In this podcast, you’ll learn how to: - End painful periods, menstrual headaches, and PMS - Improve your sleep, reduce night sweats, and increase your overall energy - Reduce hormonal depression and anxiety–WITHOUT meds! - Alleviate symptoms of inflammation like joint pain, hair loss, gut issues, and allergies - Move the scale on stubborn weight and belly fat (and never starve yourself again!) - Talk to your partner about perimenopause (without sounding like you’re totally insane!) It’s TIME to take back control of your hormones and show ‘em who’s boss...so you can feel confident and love yourself again! ...Without ever stepping foot inside a doctor’s office or resorting to crazy hormone pellets. No need to make an appointment or even change outta your PJs. Just come as you are–wherever you are–as I discuss ALL things hormones in midlife–with a bit of saucy humor. (‘Cuz laughing is better than crying, unless it makes you pee.:) --- Next Steps: - Take my FREE Hormone Quiz: https://bit.ly/HormoneSelfAssessment - Book a 30-minute Hormone Clarity Call: https://bit.ly/hormonecall - Become an AYTML Podcast Insider: https://areyoutheremidlife.com/ - Record a Question to be Answered on the Pod: https://www.speakpipe.com/AreYouThereMidlife - Shop my Favorite Hormone Balancing Supplements & Save 5% or More on Every Order (Enter promo code EUQ1741): https://www.iherb.com/me/HormoneBalance - Email Me: monica@monicalanetopete.com *Disclaimer: Information provided in this podcast is for educational and entertainment purposes only. The information is not intended or implied to supplement or replace professional medical treatment, advice, and/or diagnosis. I share the strategies that have worked for me and you are advised to do your own research and speak to your medical provider for care.
Episodes
2 hours ago
2 hours ago
Do You Know What’s Driving Your Hormone Symptoms? Take the first step to balance your hormones naturally with my FREE Hormone Symptom Profile Assessment: https://bit.ly/takemyhormonequiz
Which is better for midlife weight loss: Keto? Carnivore? Optavia?
It’s a question I get asked all the time—especially in the summer, when the pool invites start rolling in… and you’d rather melt in leggings than show up in a swimsuit.
The truth is: If your hormones are out of whack, none of those diets are going to get you very far.
Because losing weight in midlife isn’t just about cutting calories—it’s about calming cortisol, balancing insulin, and avoiding the foods that are secretly stalling your fat loss.
In today’s episode, I’m peeling back the curtain on the exact elimination diet I use with my clients to identify food triggers, calm inflammation, and finally make weight loss feel doable again
In this episode, we’ll unpack:
✅ What’s the connection between food and hormone imbalance over 40?
✅ How do I know which foods are triggering my hormone imbalance?
✅ What are the signs a food is disrupting my hormones?
✅ Can food sensitivities cause weight gain in midlife?
✅ Why does my weight fluctuate so much after eating certain foods?
✅ Can elimination diets help balance hormones naturally—without medication?
✅ Can an elimination diet fix my slow metabolism in midlife?
✅ What is the best elimination diet for perimenopause?
If you’ve ever tried quitting carbs and sugar only to still feel bloated, inflamed, and stuck at your same weight—this episode is for you. 🎧
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Episodes Mentioned:
EP 76 | 6 Tools Under $100 for Hormone Balance + Perimenopause Weight Loss: https://pod.fo/e/2dee57
EP 75 | Trying to Lose Weight in Perimenopause? What to Know Before Intermittent Fasting: https://pod.fo/e/2db0fe
EP 74 | Are You Eating Enough? 3 Ways Eating Less Backfires in Perimenopause: https://pod.fo/e/2d7f66
EP 61 | How Did I Get HERE? 6 Root Causes of Hormone Imbalance in Perimenopause & Menopause: https://pod.fo/e/2ae786
EP 57 | How Can I Have a Hormone Imbalance If My Blood Work Is Normal?: https://pod.fo/e/2a1b75
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Next Steps:
Take the First Step to Balance Your Hormones Naturally With My FREE Hormone Symptom Profile Assessment!: https://bit.ly/takemyhormonequiz
Want to see if FEAST can help balance your hormones and move the dial on midlife weight gain? Book a FREE Quick Fit Clarity Call to find out how my Master Your Midlife Hormones program can help you stop spinning your wheels and feel like “you” again.: https://bit.ly/quickfitcall
Become a Podcast Insider + Subscribe to The Hot Flash–Weekly hormone hacks, recipes, and lifestyle tips—no spam, no fluff, just science (with snacks:.): https://areyoutheremidlife.com/
Email Me: monica@monicalanetopete.com
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*Disclaimer: Information provided in this podcast is for educational and entertainment purposes only. The information is not intended or implied to supplement or replace professional medical treatment, advice, and/or diagnosis. I share the strategies that have worked for me, and you are advised to do your own research and speak to your medical provider for care.
Tuesday Jun 03, 2025
Tuesday Jun 03, 2025
Do You Know What’s Driving Your Hormone Symptoms? Take the first step to balance your hormones naturally with my FREE Hormone Symptom Profile Assessment: https://bit.ly/takemyhormonequiz
Have you ever bought the same supplement twice because you forgot you already tried it? 👀
🙋🏼♀️Yeah, been there, got the T-shirt… AND the magnesium spray… AND the melatonin gummies that tasted like stale fruit snacks.
According to a 2025 OnePoll survey, women in perimenopause and menopause spend nearly $500 a year on supplements, apps, and other health products to balance their hormones.
And yet… 76 percent of us say our symptoms haven’t changed—and neither has the number on the scale.
In today’s episode, I’m spilling the tea on 6 Tools Under $100 that actually support hormone balance and can help you move the dial on midlife weight loss.
In this episode, we’ll unpack:
✅ What are the best supplements for balancing hormones during perimenopause?
✅ Can a quiz accurately diagnose hormone imbalances?
✅ How does using a digital food scale aid in weight management?
✅ Is macro tracking more effective than calorie counting for fat loss?
✅ Which apps are best for tracking macronutrients?
✅ How does blood sugar imbalance contribute to weight gain in perimenopause?
✅ Can regular exercise improve blood sugar control and aid in weight loss?
If you’ve ever bought a pricey smart scale (but couldn’t figure out how to sync it to your phone without calling in the Geek Squad)—this episode is for you. 🎧
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Episodes Mentioned:
EP 75 | Trying to Lose Weight in Perimenopause? What to Know Before Intermittent Fasting: https://pod.fo/e/2db0fe
EP 74 | Are You Eating Enough? 3 Ways Eating Less Backfires in Perimenopause: https://pod.fo/e/2d7f66
EP 57 | How Can I Have a Hormone Imbalance If My Blood Work Is Normal?: https://pod.fo/e/2a1b75
—
Next Steps:
Take the First Step to Balance Your Hormones Naturally With My FREE Hormone Symptom Profile Assessment: https://bit.ly/takemyhormonequiz
Tired all the time? Can’t lose weight? Fine one minute…losing it the next? Book a FREE Quick Fit Clarity Call to find out if my Master Your Midlife Hormones program can help you stop the guesswork and feel like “you” again.: https://bit.ly/quickfitcall
Become a Podcast Insider + Subscribe to The Hot Flash–Weekly hormone hacks, recipes, and lifestyle tips—no spam, no fluff, just science (with snacks:.): https://areyoutheremidlife.com/
Email Me: monica@monicalanetopete.com
—
*Disclaimer: Information provided in this podcast is for educational and entertainment purposes only. The information is not intended or implied to supplement or replace professional medical treatment, advice, and/or diagnosis. I share the strategies that have worked for me, and you are advised to do your own research and speak to your medical provider for care.
Tuesday May 27, 2025
Tuesday May 27, 2025
Still Not Sure What’s Behind Your Hormone Symptoms? Take the first step to balance your hormones naturally with my FREE Hormone Symptom Profile Assessment: https://bit.ly/takemyhormonequiz
Skipping breakfast? Swigging coffee ‘til noon and calling it “intermittent fasting”?
You’re not alone….But that strategy? It might be backfiring.
In fact, if you’re a woman in perimenopause trying to lose weight, your “fast” might actually be spiking your cortisol, crashing your blood sugar, and slowing your metabolism—meanwhile your jeans just keep getting tighter.:<
Here’s the thing: intermittent fasting can be a game-changer for midlife weight loss, insulin resistance, and even hormone balance...but only if your hormones are on board.
Because what helped your bestie drop 15 pounds might be the exact thing causing your sleep issues, sugar cravings, and hormonal weight gain.
In today’s episode, Trying to Lose Weight in Perimenopause? What to Know Before Intermittent Fasting, I’m spilling the tea on intermittent fasting—what it is, what it’s not, and how it can impact your hormones–AND weight loss–after 40.
In this episode, we’ll unpack:
✅ Does intermittent fasting work for women in perimenopause?
✅ What if I’m not hungry in the morning—is that intermittent fasting?
✅ Is skipping breakfast really that bad for hormones?
✅ Does fasting affect my thyroid?
✅ How does fasting impact cortisol and stress levels?
✅ Can intermittent fasting affect sleep?
✅ Why am I gaining weight while intermittent fasting?
If you’ve ever fasted all morning and ended up hangry by 3pm in a pile of shredded cheese—this episode is for you. 🎧
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Episodes Mentioned:
EP 74 | Are You Eating Enough? 3 Ways Eating Less Backfires in Perimenopause: https://pod.fo/e/2d7f66
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Next Steps:
Take the First Step to Balance Your Hormones Naturally With My FREE Hormone Symptom Profile Assessment!: https://bit.ly/takemyhormonequiz
Tired all the time? Can’t lose weight? Fine one minute…losing it the next? Book a FREE Quick Fit Clarity Call to find out if my Master Your Midlife Hormones program can help you stop the guesswork and feel like “you” again.: https://bit.ly/quickfitcall
Become a Podcast Insider + Subscribe to The Hot Flash–Weekly hormone hacks, recipes, and lifestyle tips—no spam, no fluff, just science (with snacks:.): https://areyoutheremidlife.com/
Email Me: monica@monicalanetopete.com
—
*Disclaimer: Information provided in this podcast is for educational and entertainment purposes only. The information is not intended or implied to supplement or replace professional medical treatment, advice, and/or diagnosis. I share the strategies that have worked for me, and you are advised to do your own research and speak to your medical provider for care.
Tuesday May 20, 2025
Tuesday May 20, 2025
Still Not Sure What’s Behind Your Hormone Symptoms? Take the first step to balance your hormones naturally with my FREE Hormone Symptom Profile Assessment: https://bit.ly/takemyhormonequiz
You’re eating like a bird, but still can’t button your jeans.:<
If skipping snacks, counting macros, or cutting carbs is supposed to help us lose weight…why does it feel like nothing is changing, even when you do?
Here’s the truth: so many of us in midlife are undereating, overstressed, and totally confused why we’re gaining weight on fewer calories than a toddler snack pack.
But weight gain in perimenopause isn’t about willpower—it’s about hormones.
Because once estrogen starts to drop, perimenopause metabolism changes too—and the weight loss playbook that worked in our 20s and 30s no longer does.
In today’s episode, Are You Eating Enough? 3 Ways Eating Less Backfires in Perimenopause, I’m breaking down the connection between hormonal weight gain, blood sugar spikes, and why traditional diet rules are failing women over 40.
In this episode, you’ll learn:
✅ How does blood sugar affect weight gain in perimenopause?
✅ Can under-eating lead to weight gain in midlife?
✅ How many calories should a woman over 40 eat to lose weight?
✅ Does eating too little cause weight gain in perimenopause?
✅ What is the connection between insulin resistance and menopause?
✅ Does cortisol contribute to belly fat in midlife women?
✅ How do stress and cortisol levels impact weight gain during menopause?
✅ Do hormonal changes affect appetite after 40?
If you’ve ever said, “But I’m barely eating—why am I gaining weight?”or skipping meals to “save calories” (and ending up face-first in the pantry!)—this episode is for you. 🎧
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Episodes Mentioned:
EP 73 | Can’t Lose Weight? The Truth About GLP-1 for Weight Loss in Perimenopause & Beyond: https://pod.fo/e/2d4b1f
EP 72 | 10 Stupid Things Women Do To Mess Up Our Metabolism in Perimenopause and Menopause: https://pod.fo/e/2d16b2
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Next Steps:
Take the First Step to Balance Your Hormones Naturally With My FREE Hormone Symptom Profile Assessment!: https://bit.ly/takemyhormonequiz
Tired all the time? Not sleeping through the night? Weight won’t budge? Book a free Quick Fit Clarity Call to find out if my Master Your Midlife Hormones program can help you stop the spiral and feel like you again.: https://bit.ly/quickfitcall
Become a Podcast Insider + Subscribe to The Hot Flash–Weekly hormone hacks, recipes, and lifestyle tips—no spam, no fluff, just science (with snacks:.): https://areyoutheremidlife.com/
Email Me: monica@monicalanetopete.com
—
*Disclaimer: Information provided in this podcast is for educational and entertainment purposes only. The information is not intended or implied to supplement or replace professional medical treatment, advice, and/or diagnosis. I share the strategies that have worked for me, and you are advised to do your own research and speak to your medical provider for care.
Tuesday May 13, 2025
Tuesday May 13, 2025
Still Not Sure What’s Behind Your Hormone Symptoms? Take the first step to balance your hormones naturally with my FREE Hormone Symptom Profile Assessment: https://bit.ly/takemyhormonequiz
Weight won’t budge? Want to lose 10 (or 20) pounds before summer so you can feel good in your skin again—and without hiding under a caftan. 👀
Enter wonder drug GLP-1—which, according to industry research, is projected to surpass $100 billion by 2030. In fact, prescriptions for Ozempic, Wegovy, and other semaglutide-based meds have exploded in the past two years—and not just among your favorite Real Housewives.
But if you're in perimenopause or menopause and have been contemplating jumping on the injectables bandwagon, GLP-1s may actually do you more harm than good.
In today’s episode, "Can’t Lose Weight? The Truth About GLP-1 for Weight Loss in Perimenopause & Beyond," I’m peeling back the curtain on hormonal weight gain, GLP-1 meds, and what women in midlife need to know before going all in on this ‘miracle shot.’
In this episode, we'll discuss:
✅ Does GLP-1 work for hormonal weight gain—or is it just masking a deeper issue?
✅ The unexpected effects of GLP-1, including the risks no one talks about
✅ What really happens when you stop taking semaglutide for weight loss
✅ Why most women gain weight after stopping GLP-1
✅ How GLP-1 and hormones interact in midlife—and why the risks may hit harder in perimenopause and beyond
If you’ve ever considered trying Ozempic "just for a few months"—this episode is for you. 🎧
Episodes Mentioned:
EP 72 | 10 Stupid Things Women Do To Mess Up Our Metabolism in Perimenopause and Menopause: https://pod.fo/e/2d16b2
EP 15 | Hypothyroidism And Weight Gain: 3 Healthy Hacks To Help Shed Those Extra Pounds: https://pod.fo/e/240c5f
EP 22 | Weight Gain, Belly Fat, and What To Expect In Menopause: https://pod.fo/e/24c740
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Next Steps:
Take the First Step to Balance Your Hormones Naturally With My FREE Hormone Symptom Profile Assessment: https://bit.ly/takemyhormonequiz
Tired all the time? Not sleeping through the night? Weight won’t budge? Book a free Quick Fit Clarity Call to find out if my Master Your Midlife Hormones program can help you stop the spiral and feel like 'you' again.: https://bit.ly/quickfitcall
Become a Podcast Insider + Subscribe to The Hot Flash–Weekly hormone hacks, recipes, and lifestyle tips—no spam, no fluff, just science (with snacks:.): https://areyoutheremidlife.com/
Email Me: monica@monicalanetopete.com
—
*Disclaimer: Information provided in this podcast is for educational and entertainment purposes only. The information is not intended or implied to supplement or replace professional medical treatment, advice, and/or diagnosis. I share the strategies that have worked for me, and you are advised to do your own research and speak to your medical provider for care.
Tuesday May 06, 2025
Tuesday May 06, 2025
Still Not Sure What’s Behind Your Hormone Symptoms? Take the first step to balance your hormones naturally with my FREE Hormone Symptom Profile Assessment: https://bit.ly/takemyhormonequiz
The average woman starts dieting at age 17.
By the time we hit 45, we’ve dieted at least 61 times.
Sixty-one. Diets.
And yet somehow we’re still being told to just “eat less and move more” to lose weight (as if we haven’t been trying that since dial-up internet.) 😜😤
But midlife metabolism isn’t about willpower—it’s about biology.
And after years of dieting, stressing, skipping meals, and surviving on caffeine and car snacks, our bodies are waving the white flag.
In today’s episode, I’m breaking down “10 Stupid Things Women Do To Mess Up Our Metabolism in Perimenopause and Menopause” including the go-to habits we’ve always relied on—but that no longer work in midlife.
In this episode, you will learn:
✔ The connection between undereating and fat storage
✔ Why overdoing cardio can backfire on your hormones
✔ How protein, sleep, and stress impact our ability to burn fat
✔ Why “eating clean” can still mess with your metabolism if you're missing this key nutrient
✔ The #1 exercise mistake women over 40 make when trying to lose weight
If you’ve ever thought, “Wait…am I eating too little?”—this episode is for you. 🎧
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Next Steps:
Take the First Step to Balance Your Hormones Naturally With My FREE Hormone Symptom Profile Assessment!: https://bit.ly/takemyhormonequiz
Become a Podcast Insider + Subscribe to The Hot Flash–Weekly hormone hacks, recipes, and lifestyle tips—no spam, no fluff, just science (with snacks:.): https://areyoutheremidlife.com/
Master Your Midlife Hormones In Less Than 90 Days. Apply To Work With Me: bit.ly/fixmyhormonesnow
Have a Question About Hormone Balance? Get It Answered On The Podcast: https://www.speakpipe.com/AreYouThereMidlife
Email Me: monica@monicalanetopete.com
*Disclaimer: Information provided in this podcast is for educational and entertainment purposes only. The information is not intended or implied to supplement or replace professional medical treatment, advice, and/or diagnosis. I share the strategies that have worked for me, and you are advised to do your own research and speak to your medical provider for care.
Tuesday Apr 29, 2025
Tuesday Apr 29, 2025
Still Not Sure What’s Behind Your Hormone Symptoms? Take the first step to balance your hormones naturally with my FREE Hormone Symptom Profile Assessment: https://bit.ly/takemyhormonequiz
The average woman spends six years searching for relief from hormone symptoms.
AI can’t speed that up.
Sure, it can plan your vacation, rewrite your resume, and even suggest a pretty good taco recipe.:)
But when it comes to balancing your hormones? That’s way above its pay grade.
Because while ChatGPT can piece together generic hormone-balancing tips from online surveys, TikTok trends, blogs, and whatever else it can scrape from the internet and present as a “tailor-made” solution, it doesn’t understand your health history, your lifestyle, or the root cause of your symptoms.
(And that’s a pretty big problem when you're trying to navigate hormones that can shift daily!)
In today’s episode, I’m breaking down "5 Things ChatGPT Can’t Tell You About Balancing Hormones in Perimenopause and Menopause."
In this episode, you’ll learn:
✔ Why generic advice could be sabotaging your hormone healing
✔ Why your hormones need personalization, not algorithm-sourced solutions
✔ What AI completely misses when it comes to your stress levels and hormone health
✔ Why what worked last year (or even last week) may not be working now (and why that's normal!)
✔ What actually creates lasting hormone balance (hint: it's not a copy-paste wellness plan)
If you’re tired of getting health advice from a robot who has no clue what a hot flash actually feels like, this episode is for you. 🎧
Next Steps:
Take the First Step To Balance Your Hormones With My FREE Hormone Symptom Profile Assessment!: https://bit.ly/takemyhormonequiz
Become a Podcast Insider + Subscribe to The Hot Flash–Get weekly hormone hacks, recipes, and lifestyle tips—no spam, no fluff, just science (with snacks:.): https://areyoutheremidlife.com/
Master Your Midlife Hormones In Less Than 90 Days. Apply To Work With Me: bit.ly/fixmyhormonesnow
Have a Question About Hormone Balance? Get It Answered On The Podcast: https://www.speakpipe.com/AreYouThereMidlife
Email Me: monica@monicalanetopete.com
*Disclaimer: Information provided in this podcast is for educational and entertainment purposes only. The information is not intended or implied to supplement or replace professional medical treatment, advice, and/or diagnosis. I share the strategies that have worked for me and you are advised to do your own research and speak to your medical provider for care.
Tuesday Apr 22, 2025
Tuesday Apr 22, 2025
Still Not Sure What’s Behind Your Hormone Symptoms? Take the first step to balance your hormones naturally with my FREE Hormone Symptom Profile Assessment: https://bit.ly/takemyhormonequiz
Become a Podcast Insider + Subscribe to The Hot Flash–Weekly hormone hacks, recipes, and lifestyle tips—no spam, no fluff, just science (with snacks:.): https://areyoutheremidlife.com/
We do it every 8 minutes.
(And no, it’s not peeing, although that might also be true.:)
This week, we’re talking about something that might be secretly sabotaging your hormones every single day.
It’s not your diet.
It’s not your wine.
It’s not even your overflowing to-do list.
👉 It’s your screen.
Or more specifically… the scroll.
Because while social media might seem harmless (or even helpful, depending on who you follow), it could be raising your cortisol, tanking your progesterone, and sending your sleep, mood, and metabolisminto a full-blown hormone spiral.
In this episode, I’m pulling back the curtain on how your phone habits may be contributing to hormone imbalance in perimenopause and menopause—and what you can do to interrupt the scroll without hurling your iPhone into a lake.
If your idea of “unplugged” is charging your phone in another room, this episode is for you. 🎧
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Next Steps:
Take the First Step To Balance Your Hormones With My FREE Hormone Symptom Profile Assessment!: https://bit.ly/takemyhormonequiz
Become a Podcast Insider + Subscribe to The Hot Flash: https://areyoutheremidlife.com/
Master Your Midlife Hormones In Less Than 90 Days. Apply To Work With Me: bit.ly/fixmyhormonesnow
Get Your Question About Hormone Balance Answered On The Podcast: https://www.speakpipe.com/AreYouThereMidlife
Email Me: monica@monicalanetopete.com
*Disclaimer: Information provided in this podcast is for educational and entertainment purposes only. The information is not intended or implied to supplement or replace professional medical treatment, advice, and/or diagnosis. I share the strategies that have worked for me and you are advised to do your own research and speak to your medical provider for care.