Recorded: September 6 (rainy morning in Idaho 🌧️)

There’s a giant gap in health education: on one side, fluffy tips (“eat healthy fats!”); on the other, firehose-science that sounds impressive but leaves you asking, …now what? This episode lives in the middle. You’ll get plain-English explanations of high-value concepts and, more importantly, how to implement them for midlife results.

⚡️ Heads up: Enrollment for Mastering Midlife starts really soon. It’s a 10-Step to Success program with live coaching plus a full content library so you can learn at your own pace. Details below.

The internet swings between oversimplified advice and overcomplicated biohacking.

Most people don’t need more noise—they need actionable explanations and a clear progression.

That’s why my programs are designed as a journey—not 10 random Zooms.

Mastering Midlife follows a 10-step sequence across bloodwork, smart nutrition, supplements, exercise, and strength training.

Each step builds on the last so you can understand, apply, and sustain.

We name the elephant in the room: terms are tossed around like everyone learned this in school (we didn’t). This series clarifies the why and the how so you can use the info.

Topics called out: mitochondria, cellular energy, NAD+, autophagy, mTOR/AMPK, BDNF, leptin resistance, metabolic flexibility, glycation, inflamaging, photobiomodulation, peptides (BPC-157, tesamorelin, GHK), exosomes, stem cells, senescent cells, HRV, cold exposure/brown fat, methylation, zonulin, LPS, histamine intolerance, oxalates, collagen cross-linking, microdosing, sarcopenia, longevity genes, and more.

Mitochondria are more than “little batteries.” They decide:

How efficiently you burn fat

How much energy is available to brain/muscle/organs

How quickly you age

Cellular energy = ability to produce ATP (the “currency of life”).

Low ATP → fatigue, cravings, slow recovery, poor gains.

Support via quality food, smart meal timing (including some fasting), resistance training, sleep, and light (e.g., red light therapy).

NAD+ is a coenzyme required to turn food into usable energy. Levels decline with age.

You’ll hear about NR/NMN (precursors). Lifestyle also protects NAD (exercise, sleep, fasting).

5-Amino-1MQ (which I carry) supports your own NAD production.

Warning: medications may create great scale changes, but cellular health still matters—don’t abandon the basics.

Think of your gut like a rainforest—diversity = resilience.

Diverse microbes = better digestion, vitamins, hormone balance, immune regulation, even mood/cognition (gut-brain axis).

Midlife naturally reduces diversity. Counter it by:

Eliminating ultra-processed foods (non-negotiable)

Eating more fiber (feeds good bacteria)

Including fermented foods (adds good bacteria)

LPS (lipopolysaccharide) lives on certain gut bacteria. Fine inside the gut; toxic if it leaks out.

With leaky gut, LPS escapes → big immune reaction → systemic inflammation, brain fog, joint pain, fatigue, insulin resistance, mood issues; linked with autoimmunity.

Drivers: ultra-processed food, irritants, toxins, antibiotics, high sugar.

I have a free leaky gut video—email me.

When cells make energy, free radicals (sparks) are created. Antioxidants are the cleanup crew.

If sparks build up without cleanup, you get a fire = oxidative stress.

Result: faster aging (wrinkles), joint issues, chronic disease risk, low energy.

Fix the inputs: whole foods, consistent activity, sleep, stress management.

As we age, internal antioxidant systems decline → diet quality matters more.

Weight alone isn’t the game. Cellular health is.

When people understand the why, simple solutions are finally implemented—and they stick.

Join as a front-row participant or low-key spectator; the group dynamic accelerates results.

Coaching is not about dumping information—it’s progression + conversation.

Starts soon (runs live once per year).

10 progressive steps that cover: bloodwork, smart nutrition, supplementation, strength training, recovery, metabolic health, gut health, and more.

Live coaching calls + full content library (review at your pace all year).

Small-group energy with big-league support—practical, science-backed, no extremes.

Flexible payment option: split into 3 payments.

Learn more / enroll: midlifemonth.com

Questions? [email protected]

ATP: Cellular fuel your body spends for every heartbeat, thought, and muscle contraction.

Mitochondria: Cellular power plants; they influence fat-burning, energy, and aging.

NAD+: Coenzyme required for converting food to energy; declines with age.

Microbiome Diversity: Variety of gut species; more diversity = more resilience.

LPS: Toxin on certain gut bacteria; harmless in gut, inflammatory if it leaks into the bloodstream.

Oxidative Stress: Damage from excess “sparks” (free radicals) when antioxidant cleanup can’t keep up.

Upgrade food quality: 80–90% whole, minimally processed foods.

Add fiber daily: Aim 25–35g—veggies, berries, legumes, ground flax, chia (if tolerated), oats.

Include fermented foods: Sauerkraut, kimchi, kefir, plain yogurt, tempeh (as tolerated).

Lift 2–4x/week: Prioritize big patterns (squat/hinge/push/pull/carry).

Sleep audit: 7–9 hours, consistent times, dark/cool room.

Light & movement: Morning outdoor light; frequent walking; consider red-light sessions.

Consider NAD support: Lifestyle first; discuss supplements if appropriate.

Curious about leaky gut? Email me for the free video.

Enroll/learn more: midlifemonth.com

Email: [email protected]

YouTube: Joanne Lee Cornish (long-form videos)

Speaking/Group Coaching inquiries welcome.

If you want me to continue this series and break down more terms (mTOR/AMPK, autophagy, HRV, cold exposure, methylation, histamine intolerance, oxalates, collagen cross-linking, and more), email me and tell me which topics you want next.

Episode Type: Venting / Educational Rant

In this episode, Joanne takes aim at a recent Telegraph article that claimed you can lose weight without losing muscle by following outdated and misleading advice. From the laughably low protein recommendations (45g/day for women) to the suggestion that light weights and bodyweight exercise are enough for midlife muscle preservation, Jo breaks down why this kind of misinformation is dangerous—not just frustrating.

This episode is raw, fiery, and unapologetic—a venting session that highlights why midlife is not the time for “everyone gets a trophy” advice. Instead, it’s the time for clear, science-backed strategies that actually protect muscle, metabolism, and long-term vitality.

The article recommended ~0.75 g/kg of protein per day (≈45g for women, 55g for men).

Joanne explains why this 1960s RDA guideline is dangerously outdated and fails to account for modern research, especially in midlife when anabolic resistance sets in.

For true muscle preservation, most adults need closer to 1.6–2.2 g/kg bodyweight. That’s triple what the article suggested.

Jo breaks down the science of anabolic resistance and its connection to insulin resistance:

Insulin resistance → harder to move glucose into muscle.

Anabolic resistance → harder to move amino acids into muscle.

Result: even if you think you’re eating enough protein, your muscles may not be getting fed.

Why this matters: muscle loss accelerates with age, even for people who “do all the right things,” unless nutrition and training are dialed in.

The article claimed bodyweight training, yoga, Pilates, and light weights with high reps are “enough” for muscle preservation in midlife.

Joanne explains why this is not effective for building or maintaining meaningful lean mass.

Strength training needs progressive overload—challenging resistance that forces muscles to adapt.

While bodyweight and Pilates have benefits, they don’t replace structured resistance training for midlife muscle protection.

Holding onto muscle isn’t about just looking “toned”—it’s about survival and independence later in life.

Without enough muscle:

Metabolism plummets.

Fatigue and frailty increase.

Quality of life in your 70s and 80s diminishes sharply.

Midlife is the one opportunity to re-route the trajectory of aging—miss it, and the next chapter becomes exponentially harder.

Articles like this reinforce mediocrity disguised as inclusivity: “everyone’s a winner” messaging.

Jo argues this robs people of their chance to succeed because they’re never told the truth about what’s necessary.

Clear, accurate information empowers people to do the work—and it doesn’t need to be complicated. It just needs to be correct.

Too many people fear midlife without realizing the real fear should be what comes after if they don’t act now.

Midlife = chance to reset metabolism, protect muscle, preserve energy, and ensure the later decades of life are vibrant.

Ignore it, and the outcome is predictable: loss of muscle, independence, and quality of life.

Protein Distribution Matters → It’s not just how much protein you eat, but how you spread it through the day (aim for 25–40g per meal with sufficient leucine).

The Role of Resistance Training → Strength training triggers mTOR and muscle protein synthesis. Lighter loads can work only if trained to failure—but that’s rarely sustainable.

Metabolic Flexibility → Without muscle, the body loses its best tool for glucose disposal and fat utilization, fueling insulin resistance.

Hormonal Influence → Midlife shifts in estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone amplify anabolic resistance—making accurate protein and strength training strategies non-negotiable.

Midlife doesn’t have to mean decline. Joanne’s signature Mastering Midlife program runs Sept 21 – Nov 1 and gives you the full roadmap for building muscle, balancing hormones, optimizing metabolism, and rewriting the script for your next decades.

👉 Learn more and join at www.midlifemonth.com

Joanne ends this rant with a question for her audience:

Should she create a dedicated program for people using weight loss medications (GLP-1s, etc.)—a short 3–4 hour video course called RX Success—to fill the massive coaching gap that doctors aren’t covering?

Email Jo your thoughts at [email protected].

✅ Bottom line: Don’t buy into outdated “light weights and 45g protein” nonsense. Midlife is your one chance to create a strong, lean, healthy body that carries you into later life with energy and independence. Do the work that’s necessary—not the fluff that gets printed in newspapers.

SLU-PP-332, 5-Amino-1MQ, and the Truth About Midlife Muscle & Fat

Hey friends, welcome back to Midlife Mayhem! I’ve just returned from a whirlwind trip through England and Greece—a mix of family remembrance, laughter, tears, chaos, and joy. I’m running on jet lag fumes, but I wanted to sit down and share something important with you today: two breakthrough compounds that could be absolute game-changers for midlife body composition—SLU-PP-332 and 5-Amino-1MQ.

👉 SLU-PP-332 is now available at www.slu332.com

And don’t forget—my Mastering Midlife program kicks off September 21 – November 1. Learn more and sign up at www.slu332.com

5-Amino-1MQ → www.5amino.com

Mastering Midlife (Sept 21 – Nov 1) → www.midlifemonth.com

Email me anytime with questions: [email protected]

We tend to think of the liver as “the detox organ.” We imagine green juice cleanses, detox teas, and vague ideas about “flushing toxins.” But your liver is so much more than that — it’s a powerhouse that affects every aspect of your body composition, from how much fat you store to how much energy you have.

And while the liver is incredibly resilient (it can literally regrow after being partially removed), modern lifestyles are pushing it past its limits. That’s why we’re now seeing non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) not just in adults, but alarmingly, in children.

In this episode, we’re diving deep into:

The liver makes fat — it’s not meant to store it.

When the liver is overwhelmed and can’t push fat out fast enough, it starts storing it internally — that’s how fatty liver develops.

About 75% of stored carbs (glycogen) live in your muscles — but muscle glycogen is locked away for personal use. Your biceps can’t “share” their carbs with the rest of your body.

The liver’s glycogen, however, can be broken down into glucose and released into your blood to keep your energy steady between meals, during sleep, or under stress.

If your blood sugar stays high even when you’ve cut carbs, your liver may be releasing stored glucose — often a sign of insulin resistance.

Cortisol clearance: The liver inactivates cortisol, helping prevent the muscle loss, midsection fat gain, water retention, collagen breakdown, and cravings that come with high cortisol.

Thyroid activation: The liver converts inactive T4 thyroid hormone into active T3 — your metabolism’s “go” signal. Poor liver function can mean slower metabolism and stubborn fat.

Insulin resistance: A high-carb, low-activity lifestyle keeps insulin elevated. Overexposure makes the liver resistant to insulin’s signal, tricking it into thinking blood sugar is low — so it makes more sugar through gluconeogenesis, adding to the problem.

Leaky gut: Low-fiber, high-sugar, ultra-processed diets damage the gut lining. Toxins and undigested food particles leak into the bloodstream, triggering constant inflammation. That inflammation travels to — and damages — liver cells.

Poor food quality: You can’t out-supplement or out-macro a bad diet. “Weekend junk” and overly restrictive eating both take their toll on gut and liver health.

A healthy liver helps you:

Efficiently use stored energy between meals (no energy crashes)

Convert thyroid hormones for optimal metabolism

Clear cortisol so you preserve muscle and control fat storage

Avoid fat buildup in the liver, which is linked to systemic inflammation and metabolic slowdown

When the liver is struggling, everything from fat loss to hormone balance to workout recovery becomes harder.

The liver is a workhorse — but it’s underappreciated and often abused. If your fat loss has stalled, your energy is inconsistent, or your hormones are out of balance, your liver might be the missing link.

📅 Next Live Program – Mastering Midlife (Sept 14 – Oct 25)

This year’s live program includes:

11 live coaching calls over 5 weeks (with a built-in review week so you can catch up)

Meal plans, workouts, and supplement guidance

Deep dives into the 6 hormones that change with age

Sessions on exercise adjustments, nutrition upgrades, HRT/TRT, peptides, biohacks, and more

Men and women welcome — and the results are incredible

We only run this once a year live. Reserve your spot today at:

We’ve all heard the term GMO — genetically modified organisms — and most of us know it’s controversial. But there’s a newer, slicker technology making its way into our food supply that’s flying under the radar: gene editing. It’s marketed as “natural,” it’s not always labeled, and it’s already on supermarket shelves. The problem? Most consumers have no idea it’s there… or what it could mean for our health.

In this episode, I pull back the curtain on:

What gene editing actually is — how it differs from GMO technology, and why industry insiders argue it shouldn’t require labeling.

The rapid takeover of GMO crops in the U.S., from their quiet introduction to dominating over 90% of certain harvests in less than a decade.

Why Europe bans or strictly controls GMOs under the “precautionary principle” — and why the U.S. does the opposite, requiring proof of harm rather than proof of safety.

The glyphosate connection — and the staggering increases in allowable residues on soy, corn, wheat, and even animal feed (including a 2,000-fold increase on alfalfa).

How altered protein patterns in gene-edited plants and animals could confuse the immune system, potentially leading to chronic inflammation, autoimmune issues, and other long-term health risks.

Examples already in circulation: non-browning mushrooms, disease-resistant bananas, slick-coated cattle, faster-growing salmon, and more.

The labeling loophole: why most gene-edited products don’t have to be labeled in the U.S., and how companies use terms like “bioengineered” or QR codes instead of clear wording.

The eerie historical parallels with cigarettes and opioids — early warning signs ignored, public assurances of safety, and decades before the truth came out.

I also share practical, actionable steps you can take now to reduce your exposure, including how to identify higher-risk foods, what to look for on labels, and why “100% organic” is a very different standard from “organic.”

This isn’t fearmongering — it’s about being informed and proactive before the “monster” grows too big to contain.

If you want to reclaim your energy, optimize your hormones, and build a lean, strong body in midlife and beyond, now is the time to join the ever-popular Mastering Midlife program.

Live from September 14 – October 25, 2025, this year’s program is bigger and better than ever, with a brand-new pacing designed for busy lives:

11 live coaching calls over five weeks (3 weeks on, 1 week off to catch up, then 2 final weeks)

Expert-led sessions on the six hormones that shift in midlife, how to adapt your training, how to fine-tune your nutrition, plus deep dives into HRT, TRT, peptides, biohacks, skin and muscle health, and more

Structured meal plans, targeted workouts, and supplement guidance included

The chance to connect with a motivated, like-minded community — men and women welcome

Only runs once per year in the live format — payment plan available

Reserve your spot at www.midlifemonth.com and step into the healthiest, strongest version of yourself.

If you’ve ever left Starbucks feeling bloated, sluggish, or… ahem… blocked up for days, you’re not imagining things.

I also explain why even if you don’t think you’re lactose intolerant, you might still react to certain dairy proteins — and how a simple milk swap could make a world of difference.

This topic comes straight out of my Tight28 program’s dairy module, so if you’ve been struggling with gut discomfort, unexplained puffiness, or sluggish digestion, you’ll definitely want to listen in.

☕ The Coffee Factor

Why Starbucks uses very dark roasted beans — and how this affects bitterness, bile release, and gut motility.

How ultra-high volume roasting and older beans can increase oxidized oils — and why oxidized oils = gut irritation.

Why your local café’s medium roast and fresher beans are usually gentler on digestion.

🥛 The Dairy Factor

The difference between regular pasteurization and ultra-pasteurization — and how extreme heat denatures milk proteins like casein.

Why casein (especially A1 beta-casein) is already hard to digest — and how ultra-pasteurization makes it worse.

Why large latte servings = large dairy hits that can trigger bloating and constipation.

🌱 The Milk Alternative Trap

Why Starbucks oat, almond, and soy milks are highly processed and full of gums and emulsifiers.

How gums/emulsifiers can damage gut lining, worsen leaky gut, and trigger bloating or sluggish digestion.

Why oat milk’s beta-glucans and residual enzymes can ferment in the gut and cause discomfort.

🐄 A1 vs A2 Milk Explained

A1 milk (common in U.S. dairy from Holstein cows) contains a beta-casein variant that releases BCM-7 during digestion.

BCM-7 slows gut motility, irritates the gut lining, and can trigger histamine release → bloating, puffiness, water retention.

A2 milk (from Jersey/Guernsey cows, goats, sheep, buffalo) produces minimal BCM-7 — often eliminating symptoms entirely.

Why switching to A2 can be a game-changer for digestion, even if you’re not lactose intolerant.

Starbucks’ combination of dark roast bitterness, ultra-pasteurized A1 milk, and/or processed plant milks can be a “perfect storm” for gut issues.

If you want to keep enjoying coffee without the digestive misery:

Switch to medium roast, freshly ground beans.

Use A2 dairy or goat/sheep/buffalo milk.

Skip processed plant milks with gums/emulsifiers.

Try smaller coffee sizes or Americano-style drinks instead of milk-heavy lattes.

Gut irritation isn’t just about discomfort — it can contribute to systemic inflammation, histamine buildup, and even changes in body composition.

This episode barely scratches the surface of what I teach in Tight28, my 28-day program designed to uncover hidden food sensitivities, calm inflammation, and get your digestion — and your body composition — working in your favor.

Check it out here: www.jlcstrong.com

5-Amino-1MQ: www.5amino.com

My upcoming SLU-PP-332 release — stay tuned!

Email me anytime with questions: [email protected]

If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with someone who’s still wondering why their Starbucks habit might be causing their gut drama.

If you’ve hit a plateau with your workouts… if you're gaining fat despite training hard… or if you're feeling constantly tired and inflamed, your bloodwork might have the answers.

In this episode, we dive into:

What the DHEA-to-cortisol ratio really tells you about stress, recovery, and resilience

The exact numbers you want to see (with examples)

Key blood markers like CK, AST, LDH, CRP, and what they reveal about muscle breakdown

How to interpret patterns that signal overtraining or burnout

Because you don’t build muscle in the gym—you build it when you're recovering properly. Let's make sure you're set up to build, not break down.

DHEA-S 150 / Cortisol 10 = 15:1 ✅

DHEA-S 90 / Cortisol 18 = 5:1 ⚠️

DHEA-S 40 / Cortisol 22 = 1.8:1 ❌

Overtraining or lack of deloads

Low-carb or low-calorie diets

Emotional stress and poor sleep

Hormonal changes (especially in midlife)

Poor gut health or chronic inflammation

These markers give you insight into whether your training is building your body—or breaking it down.

💊 Now Available: 5-Amino-1MQ

🧪 Coming Late August: SLU-PP-332

Midlife Mayhem Podcast – Episode Title: "Midlife Thermostat: Why You're Sweating, Freezing, and Waking Up at 3 A.M."

Hosted by: Joanne Lee Cornish

In this packed episode, Joanne tackles one of the most frustrating but misunderstood midlife symptoms: temperature dysregulation. Whether you're a woman waking up drenched in sweat or a man with freezing hands and sleepless nights, your body's thermostat might be working against you. Joanne breaks down how hormonal shifts during perimenopause and andropause disrupt thermoregulation—and what you can do to reset the balance.

She also shares the latest on red light therapy, the impact of stress on your nervous system, and how both men and women can support better sleep and energy by working with—not against—their biology.

What the hypothalamus does and how it controls your internal thermostat

Why women experience hot flashes and sudden chills during perimenopause

How declining testosterone affects men's ability to regulate temperature

The narrowing thermoneutral zone in midlife and why that matters

Blood sugar crashes, cortisol spikes, and 2–4 a.m. wakeups

How estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone influence your sleep architecture

The nervous system’s role: sympathetic vs. parasympathetic dominance

Breathwork to calm the nervous system and aid sleep

Red light therapy for increasing melatonin and promoting restful sleep

Small protein-fat bedtime snacks to reduce blood sugar crashes

Supplements that support hormonal balance:

Women: DIM, calcium D-glucarate, magnesium (watch for B6 sensitivity)

Men: Citrulline, beet powder, magnesium, zinc

Why warm socks + cooling bedding may be your best bedtime combo

Grounding sheets, sleep hygiene, and stress management techniques

How resistance training and lowering belly fat helps support testosterone

5-Amino-1MQ – Learn more or order at: www.5amino.com

Shrink Shop Sleep Formula – Natural, effective, non-habit forming sleep support: www.shrinkshopsleep.com

Peak Personalized Healthcare is offering DEXA scans for $75 through the end of July. This includes body composition and bone density. Great value!

Joanne teases the upcoming release of SLU-PP-332, a compound known for mimicking muscle contraction and supporting fat oxidation. She's working to offer this at a reasonable price—watch this space.

Email Joanne at [email protected] to join the mailing list and stay informed about upcoming programs like Mastering Midlife.

Follow Joanne on YouTube (Joanne Lee Cornish) for detailed videos on 5-Amino-1MQ, SLU-PP-332, and more.

Sleep quality, body temperature, and hormone health are deeply connected. Midlife is not the time to ignore these cues—it’s the time to understand them and respond with strategy. Whether you're burning up or freezing out, your body is speaking to you.

I have been meaning to do this podcast for months!

And although I am talking about men and testosterone, ladies please pay attention. Too many men are suffering in silence as their version of menopause (Andropause) is sneaky and subtle and often dismissed.

Testosterone isn't just about muscle or libido — it's the foundation of a man’s vitality, strength, confidence, and health. But what happens when it starts to decline… and how can men fight back?

In this cutting-edge episode of Midlife Mayhem, Joanne dives deep into the misunderstood world of male hormones, unpacking why testosterone declines with age, what “normal” actually means, and how lifestyle, labs, and even peptides are helping men take control.

If you're a man over 40 (or you care about one), this is essential listening.

✅ Why testosterone declines with age — and how it’s not just aging

Key labs to test: Total T, Free T, SHBG, Estradiol, DHT, Hematocrit

Supplements: Zinc, Boron, Magnesium, Vitamin D, Tongkat Ali, DIM, Ashwagandha

Peptides: Kisspeptin-10, HCG, CJC-1295/Ipamorelin, BPC-157

Training focus: Resistance training & HIIT over chronic cardio

Optimization tip: Leaner body = better testosterone balance

Apple Podcasts

Spotify

Amazon Music

Podbean

@joanneleecornish

📧 Got questions? Email Joanne directly: @joanneleecornish

Website: www.jlcstrong.com

🔥 JULY 4TH FLASH DEAL – ENDS MONDAY!

This episode is bold, necessary, and deeply personal.

We’re diving into the truth about HRT (Hormone Replacement Therapy) and HGH (Human Growth Hormone), what women actually need, and why most of what you're told is incomplete, underdosed, or simply outdated.

👀 If you’ve ever been told “your labs are normal” while feeling exhausted, anxious, and like a stranger in your own body—this episode is for you.

The real difference between HRT and HGH

Why most doctors underprescribe (and what to do about it)

What bloodwork matters—and what it’s NOT telling you

Why testosterone is essential for women (yes, really)

What happens when your progesterone disappears

The risks and rewards of HGH (and how to do it safely)

Why peptides like CJC, Ipamorelin, and 5-Amino-1MQ might be the smarter option

Why information alone doesn’t create results—but coaching support does

Tight28 is my LIVE 28-day program to identify food sensitivities without extreme elimination diets.

No gluten, no dairy, no soy, no added sugar—just clean, powerful results.

🚫 No fluff. No detox gimmicks.

⚠️ This live version won’t return until 2027 as I roll out two other programs.

A premium membership that includes:

This will not be open to everyone—only to those serious about growth, community, and results.

🔬 Learn more about 5-Amino-1MQ: