The Healthy Life Approach Podcast cover art

The Healthy Life Approach Podcast

The Healthy Life Approach Podcast

Written by: Kristen Beasley
Listen for free

The Healthy Life Approach Podcast

You deserve to be a partner in your healthcare, not just a patient.

Join Kristen Beasley, a certified brain health coach and functional medicine health coach, as she breaks down evidence-based strategies to optimize your cognitive health during perimenopause and postmenopause. Drawing from 25 years in rehabilitation services, her personal health journey, and her family's experience with neurodegenerative disease, Kristen teaches you how to ask better questions, track your own data, and communicate confidently with your healthcare team.

Each week, you'll discover practical, actionable steps to support your brain health—because your best cognitive years are still ahead. Learn what questions to ask your doctor, how to interpret your lab results, and why "there's nothing we can do" often just means "we don't know what else to try."

This podcast is for women ready to stop being passive and start taking control of their health journey.

Disclaimer: Kristen is a health coach, not a physician. All content is educational and should be discussed with your qualified healthcare providers.

Copyright 2026 All rights reserved. Hygiene & Healthy Living
Episodes
  • Hormone Therapy & Dementia: What WHIMS, APOE4 and New Research Really Show

    Hormone Therapy & Dementia: What WHIMS, APOE4 and New Research Really Show
    Jun 2 2026
    Can hormone therapy reduce dementia risk? In this episode, we break down the WHIMS study, APOE4 research, the EPAD study, and the UK Biobank findings to uncover what hormone therapy may mean for Alzheimer's disease, menopause, brain health, and cognitive decline in women. Book Kristen to Speak ➡ https://www.healthylifeapproach.com/speaker If you've ever wondered whether hormone replacement therapy (HRT) helps or harms the brain, you're not alone. For years, headlines warned that hormone therapy increased dementia risk. Yet newer research suggests that timing, genetics, and hormone type may dramatically change the picture. In this episode of The Healthy Life Approach, Kristen Beasley explores three of the most influential studies shaping the conversation around hormone therapy and dementia risk: ✔️ The Women's Health Initiative Memory Study (WHIMS) ✔️ The European Prevention of Alzheimer's Dementia (EPAD) study ✔️ The UK Biobank dementia and hormone therapy analysis You'll learn why these studies appear to conflict, what researchers mean by the "critical window" or timing hypothesis, and why APOE4 status may influence how women respond to hormone therapy. Topics Covered: • Hormone therapy and dementia risk • Menopause and brain health • APOE4 and Alzheimer's disease • WHIMS study explained • EPAD study findings • UK Biobank hormone therapy research • Estrogen's role in the brain • Brain fog during menopause • Oral vs transdermal hormone therapy • The timing hypothesis • Questions to ask your healthcare provider • How to advocate for your long-term cognitive health 🛍️ Products I Use and Recommend 🧪 Know Your Numbers 🩸 Function Health — $25 off membership → https://my.functionhealth.com/signup?code=KBEASLEY10&_saasquatch=KBEASLEY10&d=FHREF25 🌱 Adapt Naturals — 20% off first order → https://www.adaptnaturals.com/KRISTEN80873 📊 Levels Health — $100 off CGM tracking → https://app.levels.com/invite/LVLS-SNBBPHNF 🌿 FullScript — Discount on supplements → https://us.fullscript.com/welcome/healthylifeapproach 😴 Sleep & Recovery ❄️ Sleep.me → https://checkout.sleep.me/KRISTEN23194 🌙 Sleep Doctor → https://sleepdoctor.sjv.io/c/3450471/1756592/20009 🔋 WHOOP 5.0 — Free band + 1 month free → https://join.whoop.com/us/en/9302C0E0/ 💓 Pulsetto → https://pulsetto.sjv.io/HealthyLife 🌊 Apollo Neuro — $50 off → https://share.apolloneuro.com/x/YDAmCp 🧠 Brain Health 🧠 BrainTap → https://braintap.com/membership-and-headset/?afmc=6xz&utm_campaign=6xz&utm_source=leaddyno&utm_medium=affiliate 💡 Beacon 40 → https://beacon40.com/shop?_ef_transaction_id=&oid=3&affid=51 ☀️ Light & Heat Therapy ☀️ Sunlighten → https://share.sunlighten.com/KristenBeasley 🔴 Solshine → https://solshine.org/collections/frontpage?ref=nmwdhori ✨ Higher Dose (code HLA15) → https://www.awin1.com/cread.php?awinmid=86123&awinaffid=1753147   #HormoneTherapy #Menopause #Alzheimers #BrainHealth #APOE4 Hormone therapy remains one of the most debated topics in women's health. While some studies suggest increased dementia risk, newer research indicates that age, timing, genetics, and hormone formulation may play a significant role in determining outcomes. Understanding the difference between randomized trials and observational studies is essential for interpreting the evidence. In this video, Kristen Beasley breaks down the science in plain language, helping women understand what current research says about hormone therapy, Alzheimer's disease, APOE4, menopause, cognitive decline, and long-term brain health. Whether you're currently considering hormone therapy or simply want to understand your risk factors, this episode will help you have a more informed conversation with your healthcare provider. Our mission at The Healthy Life Approach is to help women build a stronger foundation for lifelong cognitive health through education, prevention, and informed decision-making. Disclaimer: This content is for educational and informational purposes only and is not medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional regarding your individual health decisions. #HormoneTherapy #Menopause #BrainHealth #Alzheimers #APOE4 #DementiaPrevention #HormoneReplacementTherapy #CognitiveHealth #WomenHealth #HealthyAging
    Show More Show Less
    18 mins
  • The Menopause Misdiagnosis: 7 Conditions That Get Missed

    The Menopause Misdiagnosis: 7 Conditions That Get Missed
    May 26 2026

    Are you experiencing brain fog, fatigue, or mood swings that just won't go away? Many midlife women are told these are 'just menopause' or 'stress,' but this video dives deeper into the true causes. We explore how hormonal changes in women, particularly during perimenopause, can lead to these challenging symptoms, emphasizing the importance of understanding hormonal imbalance beyond simple explanations. Discover how a "New Healthy" approach can help you navigate these issues and improve your overall brain health.

    🎤 Book Kristen to Speak ➡ https://www.healthylifeapproach.com/speaker

    🛍️ Products I Use and Recommend These are the tools I personally use and trust. Links are affiliate links — see disclaimer below.

    🩸 Function Health — Test 100+ biomarkers twice a year — $25 off membership https://my.functionhealth.com/signup?code=KBEASLEY10&_saasquatch=KBEASLEY10&d=FHREF25

    🌱 Adapt Naturals — Professional-grade foundational supplement stack — 20% off your first order https://www.adaptnaturals.com/KRISTEN80873

    🌿 FullScript — My full professional dispensary for targeted supplements — special discount https://us.fullscript.com/welcome/healthylifeapproach

    🔋 WHOOP 5.0 — Medical-grade recovery, strain and sleep tracking — free band + one month free https://join.whoop.com/us/en/9302C0E0/

    💓 Pulsetto — Vagus nerve stimulation for HRV and parasympathetic recovery — special discount https://pulsetto.sjv.io/HealthyLife

    ☀️ Sunlighten — Infrared sauna therapy for detox, recovery and cardiovascular health — special discount https://share.sunlighten.com/KristenBeasley

    Enjoyed This Episode? If this episode helped you, the single best thing you can do is subscribe, rate, and leave a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. It takes 30 seconds, and it's how other women in perimenopause find this show. Then share it with one friend who needs to hear it.

    Disclaimer ⚠️ This content is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult your physician or licensed healthcare provider before making medical or health decisions. Some links are affiliate links, which means I may earn a commission if you purchase through them at no additional cost to you. I only recommend products I personally use and trust.

    Timestamps:

    0:00 - Is It Really "Just Menopause"? 7 Conditions Doctors Miss

    :40 - Why "It's Just Menopause" Is a Dangerous Answer

    1:43 - Why Midlife Symptoms Are Like a Busy Intersection

    1:59 - Hypothyroidism in Women: Symptoms That Mimic Menopause

    2:31 - Insulin Resistance in Midlife Women: Hidden Blood Sugar Issues

    3:04 - Low Ferritin and Iron Deficiency in Perimenopause

    3:31 - Vitamin D Deficiency Symptoms That Look Like Menopause

    4:03 - Sleep Apnea in Women: The Most Overlooked Diagnosis

    4:45 - Undiagnosed ADHD in Midlife Women

    5:16 - Depression and Anxiety vs Menopause: How to Tell

    5:45 - Summary: 7 Conditions That Mimic Menopause Symptoms

    6:16 - Word-for-Word Script to Use at Your Doctor's Appointment

    6:25 - What Lab Tests to Request for Menopause Symptoms

    7:33 - What to Do When Your Doctor Pushes Back on Testing

    8:13 - Key Takeaway: Don't Stop at "It's Just Menopause"

    9:15 - Disclaimer

    #Perimenopause #MenopauseSymptoms #WomenOver40Health #MenopauseSupport #BrainFogAfter40 #MidlifeHealth #HormoneHealth #WomenOver50Health #MenopauseEducation #ThyroidHealth #InsulinResistance #CognitiveHealth #HealthyAgingWomen #WomenInMidlife #MenopauseAwareness
    Show More Show Less
    10 mins
  • The Real Reason You Can't Remember Why You Walked in That Room

    The Real Reason You Can't Remember Why You Walked in That Room
    May 19 2026
    Brain fog and memory loss can feel the same, but they’re not the same process in your brain. Book Kristen to Speak - https://www.healthylifeapproach.com/speaker Have you ever walked into a room and suddenly forgotten why you’re there? Or stood in the grocery store wondering what you came to buy? Moments like these can make many women worry that something is seriously wrong with their memory. In this episode of The Healthy Life Approach, Kristen Beasley explains the important difference between brain fog and true memory loss, especially during perimenopause and menopause. While these experiences can feel identical from the inside, they often come from very different biological processes. Brain fog is often linked to hormonal changes, sleep disruption, chronic stress, and metabolic factors that affect focus, processing speed, and executive function. Memory loss, on the other hand, involves a deeper issue with forming, storing, or retrieving memories. Understanding the difference can help you respond appropriately and stop unnecessary panic. In this episode, you'll learn: • What brain fog actually is and why it happens • How hormonal changes affect attention and mental clarity • The difference between delayed recall and true memory loss • Red flags that warrant a conversation with your doctor • Practical ways to support brain function during midlife 🛍️ Products I Use and Recommend These are the tools I personally use and trust. Links are affiliate links — see disclaimer below. 🩸 Function Health — Test 100+ biomarkers twice a year — $25 off membership https://my.functionhealth.com/signup?code=KBEASLEY10&_saasquatch=KBEASLEY10&d=FHREF25 🌱 Adapt Naturals — Professional-grade foundational supplement stack — 20% off your first order https://www.adaptnaturals.com/KRISTEN80873 🌿 FullScript — My full professional dispensary for targeted supplements — special discount https://us.fullscript.com/welcome/healthylifeapproach 🔋 WHOOP 5.0 — Medical-grade recovery, strain and sleep tracking — free band + one month free https://join.whoop.com/us/en/9302C0E0/ 💓 Pulsetto — Vagus nerve stimulation for HRV and parasympathetic recovery — special discount https://pulsetto.sjv.io/HealthyLife ☀️ Sunlighten — Infrared sauna therapy for detox, recovery and cardiovascular health — special discount https://share.sunlighten.com/KristenBeasley Enjoyed This Episode? If this episode helped you, the single best thing you can do is subscribe, rate, and leave a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. It takes 30 seconds, and it's how other women in perimenopause find this show. Then share it with one friend who needs to hear it. Disclaimer ⚠️ This content is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult your physician or licensed healthcare provider before making medical or health decisions. Some links are affiliate links, which means I may earn a commission if you purchase through them at no additional cost to you. I only recommend products I personally use and trust. #BrainFog #MemoryLoss #MidlifeHealth #WomensBrainHealth #Menopause Timestamps: 0:00 - Brain Fog vs Memory Loss: How to Tell the Difference in Menopause 0:45 - What Is Brain Fog and Why Does It Happen in Midlife? 1:43 - 4 Causes of Brain Fog in Midlife Women (Hormones, Sleep, Stress, Metabolism) 3:09 - Why Brain Fog Is Reversible, and Memory Loss Is Not 3:30 - What Is True Memory Loss? 3:43 - The Neighbor's Name Test: Brain Fog vs Memory Loss Explained 4:30 - Red Flags for Memory Loss: When to See Your Doctor 5:46 - Why This Distinction Gives You Power Over Your Brain Health 6:17 - 4 Action Steps to Protect Your Brain Starting This Week 7:15 - Why Hearing Loss Is Connected to Brain Health 7:55 - Weather vs Climate: The Framework for Understanding Brain Changes 8:35 - Next Episode: Is It Hormones or Something More?
    Show More Show Less
    9 mins
adbl_web_anon_alc_button_suppression_t1
No reviews yet