In this episode of the Women Mastering Midlife Podcast, Victoria Byrd, RPh, welcomes Dr. Jordan Emont, an OB-GYN dedicated to raising the standard of care for women in perimenopause and menopause. As the first male guest on the podcast, Dr. Emont brings a thoughtful and clinically grounded perspective shaped by listening deeply to women’s experiences, recognizing gaps in medical training, and advocating for evidence-based, compassionate menopause care.

Throughout this conversation, Victoria and Dr. Emont discuss why menopause care remains underemphasized in traditional medical education, how fear-based narratives around hormone therapy persist despite strong data, and why patient-centered care is essential for improving outcomes for midlife women. This episode highlights both the systemic challenges women face in healthcare and the meaningful progress being driven by clinicians committed to change.

Topics Covered

• Why most clinicians receive minimal training in menopause care

• The importance of listening and humility in caring for midlife women

• How systemic bias contributes to women feeling dismissed in healthcare settings

• Common and overlooked symptoms of perimenopause, including mood changes and heart palpitations

• The importance of maintaining a full differential diagnosis rather than attributing all symptoms to perimenopause

• The overlap between menopause symptoms and thyroid or cardiovascular conditions

• Why standard 15-minute medical appointments are inadequate for menopause care

• How to personalize hormone therapy using evidence, safety data, and patient feedback

• What excites Dr. Emont most about the future of menopause medicine

• Why menopause care must extend beyond OB-GYNs into primary care and other specialties

• The critical role of patient advocacy and informed decision-making

About Dr. Jordan Emont

Dr. Jordan Emont is an OB-GYN specializing in perimenopause, menopause, and sexual health. He currently offers telehealth care in California and Florida, with plans to expand to additional states. He is also a member of the International Society for the Study of Women’s Sexual Health (ISSWSH), an organization committed to advancing education and care in women’s sexual and hormonal health.

To learn more about Dr. Emont’s work, follow him on social media and visit his website for updates on clinical availability.

Let’s Keep the Conversation Going: If this episode resonated with you, please rate, review, and share it with someone who needs to hear it. Subscribe to Women Mastering Midlife on your favorite podcast platform to receive weekly conversations that help you navigate perimenopause, menopause, and midlife health with clarity and confidence.

Join the Women Mastering Midlife Community and let’s grow stronger together.

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Share your thoughts and stories on our social channels and tag us @WomenMasteringMidlife and @misvictoriabyrd Let’s rewrite the narrative together!

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Disclaimer

This podcast is for entertainment, educational, and informational purposes only. The hosts, guests, and experts featured are not your personal healthcare providers or advisors. The content should not be considered as professional, personalized medical, psychological, or prescriptive advice.

Always consult qualified professionals such as your physician, therapist, pharmacist, or coach for specific concerns and decisions related to your health or lifestyle. *Women Mastering Midlife* is not responsible for any undesired outcomes resulting from actions taken based on the content of this podcast.

In this empowering episode of Women Mastering Midlife, host Victoria Byrd, RPh sits down with Andrea Nakayama, functional medicine nutritionist and founder of the Functional Nutrition Alliance, to unpack what happens when hormone replacement therapy (HRT) isn’t the right fit.

Whether due to contraindications, side effects, or personal choice, many women find that HRT doesn’t solve everything. Andrea shares how to navigate perimenopause and menopause naturally, focusing on root-cause healing, functional nutrition, and the body’s terrain—including sleep, gut health, blood sugar balance, and stress.

Together, they explore:

• Why HRT doesn’t work for every woman — and how to know if it’s not working for you

• How to support your body’s natural hormone metabolism through nutrition and lifestyle

• The importance of balancing sleep, digestion, and blood sugar before adding hormones

• The truth about functional lab testing and what’s actually worth your money

• Why joy, purpose, and community matter just as much as supplements or prescriptions
  

Andrea reminds us that vitality and balance are possible—with or without hormones. Her compassionate, evidence-based perspective helps women reclaim agency over their midlife health and make empowered decisions that align with their individual stories.

Connect with Andrea Nakayama: andreanakayama.com Instagram: @andreanakayama

Join the Women Mastering Midlife Community and let’s grow stronger together.

Listen & subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your favorite podcast app.

Get your FREE guides HERE: www.msvictoriabyrd.com/free-guides

Share your thoughts and stories on our social channels and tag us @WomenMasteringMidlife and @misvictoriabyrd Let’s rewrite the narrative together!

Find more information on our website: www.womenmasteringmidlife.com

Book a FREE 1:1 discovery call to learn more about coaching programs and courses

Disclaimer

This podcast is for entertainment, educational, and informational purposes only. The hosts, guests, and experts featured are not your personal healthcare providers or advisors. The content should not be considered as professional, personalized medical, psychological, or prescriptive advice.

Always consult qualified professionals such as your physician, therapist, pharmacist, or coach for specific concerns and decisions related to your health or lifestyle. *Women Mastering Midlife* is not responsible for any undesired outcomes resulting from actions taken based on the content of this podcast.

In this episode of Women Mastering Midlife, host Victoria Byrd, RPh, sits down with Dr. Marina Yuabova, DNP, APRN, an expert in metabolic and functional medicine, to unpack the truth about GLP-1 therapies (like Ozempic® and Wegovy®) and peptide treatments for women in midlife.

Together, they explore how these powerful tools can fit into a holistic approach to wellness—and why they aren’t a magic fix. Dr. Yuabova explains the physiology behind weight changes in perimenopause and menopause, the connection between cortisol, insulin resistance, and midsection weight gain, and how lifestyle foundations like nutrition, sleep, and hormone balance must come before any medication or peptide protocol.

You’ll learn:

• What peptides and GLP-1s actually do inside the body

• The risks of using GLP-1 medications without addressing nutrient deficiencies

• How to support your metabolism naturally before considering medication

• The role of sleep, cortisol, and thyroid health in midlife weight gain

• Why “microdosing” GLP-1s may be safer and more effective than traditional dosing

• How to find qualified, evidence-based providers for peptide therapy

• Ways to become a more informed, self-advocating patient
  

Dr. Yuabova and Victoria discuss the importance of personalized, functional care and the dangers of cookie-cutter approaches to midlife health. Whether you’re curious about GLP-1s, struggling with metabolic changes, or simply want to understand how to keep your energy, strength, and vitality through menopause, this episode is packed with insight.

Connect with Dr. Marina Yuabova:

🌐 nationalwellnessgroup.com

🌐 roadtofertility.com

📞 (561) 788-8888

Empower your midlife health journey—one conversation at a time.

Join the Women Mastering Midlife Community and let’s grow stronger together.

Listen & subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your favorite podcast app.

Get your FREE guides HERE: www.msvictoriabyrd.com/free-guides

Share your thoughts and stories on our social channels and tag us @WomenMasteringMidlife and @misvictoriabyrd Let’s rewrite the narrative together!

Find more information on our website: www.womenmasteringmidlife.com

Book a FREE 1:1 discovery call to learn more about coaching programs and courses

Disclaimer

This podcast is for entertainment, educational, and informational purposes only. The hosts, guests, and experts featured are not your personal healthcare providers or advisors. The content should not be considered as professional, personalized medical, psychological, or prescriptive advice.

Always consult qualified professionals such as your physician, therapist, pharmacist, or coach for specific concerns and decisions related to your health or lifestyle. *Women Mastering Midlife* is not responsible for any undesired outcomes resulting from actions taken based on the content of this podcast.

Why do so many women suddenly struggle with belly fat, stubborn weight gain, and shifting body composition during perimenopause and menopause? And what role do new medications like GLP-1s (Ozempic, Wegovy) play in the conversation?

In this powerful episode of Women Mastering Midlife, I sit down with Dr. Heather Awad—family medicine physician, entrepreneur, and founder of Vibrant Menopause Weight Loss—to explore the biology, cultural pressures, and medical advances shaping midlife weight loss.

Dr. Awad shares her personal journey of gaining—and then losing—27 pounds in menopause, the surprising role of insulin resistance, and why the strategies that worked in our 20s and 30s often fail us in midlife. Together, we unpack the science, mindset shifts, and lifestyle changes that actually make weight loss sustainable—without endless restriction or calorie counting.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• Why a drop in estrogen leads to insulin resistance and sudden midlife weight gain

• The difference between subcutaneous fat and visceral fat—and why menopause belly fat carries health risks

• How to stop tying your self-worth to the number on the scale and build confidence during weight loss

• Practical nutrition strategies: protein, fiber-rich carbs, healthy fats, and choosing sugar with intention

• Why GLP-1 medications may help some women, but aren’t always the answer—and the risks to consider

• How to shift from “just give me a meal plan” to creating a lifestyle that actually fits your life

• The power of community and coaching in achieving lasting results

Resources & Links Mentioned in This Episode:

• Connect with Dr. Heather Awad: Vibrant-MD.com

• Listen to Dr. Awad’s Vibrant Menopause Podcast

• Download her free guide: The Best Breakfasts for Menopause

Key Takeaway: Midlife weight loss is possible. You are not broken, and with the right knowledge and support, you can feel like yourself again—healthy, strong, and confident.

Join the Women Mastering Midlife Community and let’s grow stronger together.

Listen & subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your favorite podcast app.

Get your FREE guides HERE: www.msvictoriabyrd.com/free-guides

Share your thoughts and stories on our social channels and tag us @WomenMasteringMidlife and @misvictoriabyrd Let’s rewrite the narrative together!

Find more information on our website: www.womenmasteringmidlife.com

Book a FREE 1:1 discovery call to learn more about coaching programs and courses

Disclaimer

This podcast is for entertainment, educational, and informational purposes only. The hosts, guests, and experts featured are not your personal healthcare providers or advisors. The content should not be considered as professional, personalized medical, psychological, or prescriptive advice.

Always consult qualified professionals such as your physician, therapist, pharmacist, or coach for specific concerns and decisions related to your health or lifestyle. *Women Mastering Midlife* is not responsible for any undesired outcomes resulting from actions taken based on the content of this podcast.

In this enlightening episode of Women Mastering Midlife, I sit down with Dr. Christie Smirl, Ayurveda Doctor, nurse practitioner, yoga teacher, and founder of Healthier Vibrations. With her unique background blending modern medicine and ancient Eastern practices, Dr. Smirl offers a holistic approach to navigating perimenopause, menopause, and the midlife transition .

We dive deep into how Ayurveda can support women’s hormones, digestion, sleep, and energy during this transformative stage of life. Dr. Smirl shares practical tools for balancing doshas, reducing inflammation, supporting the nervous system, and cultivating spiritual resilience when modern life feels overwhelming .

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• The Ayurvedic perspective on perimenopause and menopause, and how it complements Western medicine

• How to identify which dosha imbalances may be driving your midlife symptoms

• Simple daily rituals and lifestyle practices that improve sleep, mood, and digestion

• Why food, herbs, and mindful movement are considered medicine in Ayurveda

• How stress, overstimulation, and technology affect the nervous system—and what to do about it

• The connection between spiritual health, energy, and hormone balance

• Practical ways to integrate Ayurveda into your busy midlife lifestyle without feeling overwhelmed

Resources & Links Mentioned in This Episode:

• Learn more about Dr. Christie Smirl and her programs: Healthier Vibrations

• Connect with Dr. Smirl on Instagram: @drchristiesmirl

• Free resources and Ayurvedic tools: healthiervibrations.com/resources

If you’re navigating perimenopause, menopause, or simply seeking more energy, balance, and clarity in midlife, this episode offers a roadmap to healing through the wisdom of Ayurveda.

Join the Women Mastering Midlife Community and let’s grow stronger together.

Listen & subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your favorite podcast app.

Get your FREE guides HERE: www.msvictoriabyrd.com/free-guides

Share your thoughts and stories on our social channels and tag us @WomenMasteringMidlife and @misvictoriabyrd Let’s rewrite the narrative together!

Find more information on our website: www.womenmasteringmidlife.com

Book a FREE 1:1 discovery call to learn more about coaching programs and courses

Disclaimer

This podcast is for entertainment, educational, and informational purposes only. The hosts, guests, and experts featured are not your personal healthcare providers or advisors. The content should not be considered as professional, personalized medical, psychological, or prescriptive advice.

Always consult qualified professionals such as your physician, therapist, pharmacist, or coach for specific concerns and decisions related to your health or lifestyle. *Women Mastering Midlife* is not responsible for any undesired outcomes resulting from actions taken based on the content of this podcast.

In this inspiring episode of Women Mastering Midlife, I sit down with Martine Cohen—attorney turned speaker, author, and transformational coach. After a life-changing concussion forced her to question everything she thought she knew about herself, Martine developed her groundbreaking approach, No More Layers, to help women peel back self-doubt, fear, and limiting beliefs to reconnect with their true selves.

Together, we dive into the identity shifts that so many women face in perimenopause, menopause, and midlife—when roles as mothers, caregivers, or professionals evolve, leaving us wondering Who am I now? Martine shares how to reframe these transitions as opportunities for growth, how to quiet the noise of imposter syndrome, and why self-leadership is the key to living with confidence and purpose.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• How Martine’s brain injury became the catalyst for discovering her true essence beyond identity and achievement

• What the concept of “layers” means—and how perfectionism, shame, and outdated beliefs hold women back

• Why midlife is the perfect time to shed old stories and reclaim confidence, clarity, and freedom

• How to use Martine’s Four-Minute Reset tool to stop mental chaos and rewire your brain for calm and clarity

• The intersection of personal transformation and leadership—and why leading yourself first is the foundation of leading others

• Practical ways to shift from fear and self-doubt into curiosity, empowerment, and self-trust

Resources & Links Mentioned in This Episode:

• Martine’s book: No More Layers: Discover Your Inner Power and Reclaim True Freedom from the Inside Out

• Download Martine’s free Four-Minute Reset Tool: martinecohen.com/connect

• Connect with Martine: martinecohen.com | Email: martin@martinecohen.com

If you’ve been struggling with self-doubt, identity shifts, or the fear of “what’s next” in midlife, this episode will show you how to peel back the layers, reclaim your inner power, and step into the second half of life with confidence.

Join the Women Mastering Midlife Community and let’s grow stronger together.

Listen & subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your favorite podcast app.

Get your FREE guides HERE: www.msvictoriabyrd.com/free-guides

Share your thoughts and stories on our social channels and tag us @WomenMasteringMidlife and @misvictoriabyrd Let’s rewrite the narrative together!

Find more information on our website: www.womenmasteringmidlife.com

Book a FREE 1:1 discovery call to learn more about coaching programs and courses

Disclaimer

This podcast is for entertainment, educational, and informational purposes only. The hosts, guests, and experts featured are not your personal healthcare providers or advisors. The content should not be considered as professional, personalized medical, psychological, or prescriptive advice.

Always consult qualified professionals such as your physician, therapist, pharmacist, or coach for specific concerns and decisions related to your health or lifestyle. *Women Mastering Midlife* is not responsible for any undesired outcomes resulting from actions taken based on the content of this podcast.

What does it really mean to raise daughters—and to be raised by them in return?

In this heartfelt episode of Women Mastering Midlife, Victoria sits down with lawyer, mentor, and author Bernadette Catalana to explore the sacred, messy, and magical journey of motherhood. Drawing from her book Daughter Lessons: Wise and Witty Reflections on Leading, Learning From, and Loving Our Daughters, Bernadette shares the paradox of guiding our children while being humbled and healed by them.

Together, Victoria and Bernadette discuss:

• The unique dynamics of mother-daughter relationships and how they shape us across generations

• Why forgiveness—of ourselves and others—is one of the most powerful lessons we can pass down

• The role of happiness, independence, and dreams in modeling a fulfilling life for our kids

• The beauty of creating a written or spoken legacy for our children to cherish long after we’re gone

• How parenting evolves through the stages—from early motherhood to grandparenting—and the healing it can bring to our own childhood wounds
  

Whether you’re a mother, a daughter, or both, this conversation will leave you reflecting on your own relationships and the legacy of love and wisdom you hope to leave behind.

Key Takeaway: Your happiness is your responsibility—and one of the greatest gifts you can give your children is the permission to pursue their own.

Learn more about Bernadette Catalana and her book Daughter Lessons: Wise and Witty Reflections on Leading, Learning From, and Loving our Daughters

Join the Women Mastering Midlife Community and let’s grow stronger together.

Listen & subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your favorite podcast app.

Get your FREE guides HERE: www.msvictoriabyrd.com/free-guides

Share your thoughts and stories on our social channels and tag us @WomenMasteringMidlife and @misvictoriabyrd Let’s rewrite the narrative together!

Find more information on our website: www.womenmasteringmidlife.com

Book a FREE 1:1 discovery call to learn more about coaching programs and courses

Disclaimer

This podcast is for entertainment, educational, and informational purposes only. The hosts, guests, and experts featured are not your personal healthcare providers or advisors. The content should not be considered as professional, personalized medical, psychological, or prescriptive advice.

Always consult qualified professionals such as your physician, therapist, pharmacist, or coach for specific concerns and decisions related to your health or lifestyle. *Women Mastering Midlife* is not responsible for any undesired outcomes resulting from actions taken based on the content of this podcast.