Midlife Mayhem

Quick question…

When your doctor says, “Let’s just do a scan,”

Because most people don’t.

And as we get older, scans start stacking up:

This episode breaks it down so you can actually understand what you’re saying yes to.

Not all scans are the same (even though we treat them like they are):

👉 Same word. Completely different impact on your body.

Radiation isn’t something you “carry around” or need to detox.

But it can create small amounts of cellular damage that your body has to repair.

So the real issue isn’t one scan…

It’s:

This is the pattern I see all the time:

👉 And no one is tracking it.

Not because anyone’s doing anything wrong…

Instead of automatically saying yes, just pause and ask:

That’s it.

You don’t need to challenge your doctor…

This isn’t about avoiding scans.

Some scans are life-saving—no question.

This is about using them with a bit more awareness, especially when they start adding up over time.

👉 Scan smarter, not scared.

If this is something you’ve never really thought about before, this episode will give you a completely different perspective.

You can listen here 🎧

In this episode of Midlife Mayhem, Joanne breaks down a growing issue affecting thousands of women right now—the estrogen patch shortage—and why it’s not as simple as “just a supply problem.”

This isn’t about insurance games or pharmaceutical conspiracy. It’s a classic case of demand exploding faster than the system can handle. After the FDA removed the black box warning on hormone therapy, more women and doctors felt confident using HRT—and demand surged almost overnight.

But here’s the catch: estrogen patches aren’t simple products. They’re complex drug-delivery systems requiring specialized manufacturing, meaning production can’t just be ramped up quickly.

This isn’t just inconvenient—it directly affects:

In short, your entire hormonal environment.

Joanne gets straight to what matters—how to stay stable even if your patch isn’t available:

Your body doesn’t care about the delivery method—it cares about consistent hormone levels.

Most people are overly attached to how they take estrogen.

But the real goal is simple:

If you’re affected by the shortage, don’t sit back and wait.

Call your doctor. Ask your pharmacist questions. Explore alternatives.

Because when estrogen drops, you feel it—and so does everyone around you.

For more education, coaching, and programs, visit:

This episode is a bit different.

I’m pulling straight from my week, because what shows up in coaching isn’t random—it’s patterns. And most of the time I’m sitting there thinking…

👉 this didn’t need to happen.

Three situations stood out this week. Different on the surface, but all pointing to the same thing: a gap between what people are doing and what their body actually needs.

Let’s start in the gym.

The rotary torso machine—the one where you sit down, lock yourself in, and twist side to side with resistance.

It looks targeted. It feels effective.

👉 That’s exactly why it’s misleading.

Your spine is not designed to repeatedly twist under load. Your upper back can rotate, but your lower back is built for stability. Its job is to transfer force, not generate it through rotation.

And the SI joint? It barely moves at all.

So when you’re locked into a machine and forced to rotate, you’re pushing movement into areas that are supposed to resist it.

That caught up with one of my clients this week. She trains consistently, does everything right—but added this into a run of hard sessions.

👉 Result: irritated SI joint and a miserable few days.

Not just the machine—but very likely the tipping point.

What I hear all the time is, “but it helps with golf.”

No, it doesn’t.

A golf swing is a coordinated, full-body movement. This machine removes that coordination entirely. It isolates something that shouldn’t be isolated.

And then there’s the real reason most people are on it…

👉 they want to lose fat around their waist.

That’s not how fat loss works.

You can’t target it. And ironically, overloading the obliques can actually make the waist look thicker.

So you’ve got a movement that doesn’t match the body, doesn’t match sport, doesn’t achieve the goal—and quietly increases injury risk.

The second situation is completely different—but just as frustrating.

A client working in an environment where food is constantly available. Breakfast, lunch, snacks, drinks—everything is provided.

Sounds like a perk.

But when you look closer…

👉 it’s a setup.

This client is trying. They’re training, engaged, sending me photos of what they think are solid choices.

And I can see the effort.

But the options?

“Healthy” snacks loaded with sugar. Nuts coated in maple. Jerky with sugar as a main ingredient. Meals that sound clean but aren’t doing what they think.

So now you’ve got someone doing the work…

👉 but stuck in an environment pulling them backwards.

And then comes the question:

“Why would I bring my own food when it’s all here for free?”

And I get that.

But at some point, you have to call it what it is.

👉 It’s not free if it’s costing you your progress.

The third situation is the one that really stayed with me.

A client who’s been in and out of hospital repeatedly with severe digestive issues. Ongoing pain, disruption, and now surgery being discussed.

We were talking after a call, and she casually mentioned:

👉 “It got worse after my gallbladder was removed.”

And that stopped me.

Because no one had explained what that actually means.

The gallbladder stores bile. Bile helps digest fat. When it’s removed, that system changes completely—there’s no storage, no controlled release.

Now layer a higher fat diet on top of that…

👉 and you’ve got a problem.

And yet, she was eating exactly that—higher fat meals, foods that would be completely normal with a gallbladder.

No one had told her otherwise.

So now you’ve got repeated hospital visits, serious discomfort, and discussions about removing part of her colon…

…and no one has stepped back to ask:

👉 what is your diet doing in this situation?

I’ve seen this before. Very closely. And when it shows up again like this, it’s hard not to feel frustrated.

I’m not saying this explains everything.

But I am saying:

👉 this should have been part of the conversation from day one.

Different scenarios. Same underlying issue.

👉 A gap in understanding.

The body is being asked to do something it’s not designed to do.

And that’s where people get stuck.

Or hurt.

Or exhausted trying to do the right thing without the right information.

If there’s one thing to take from this, it’s this:

👉 The more you understand your body, the less you leave to chance.

And the fewer of these situations you’ll find yourself in.

If you want guidance—training, nutrition, or just clarity on what your body actually needs—I work with clients both in person and online.

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Carbohydrates have become one of the most misunderstood—and frankly, feared—nutrients in the world of body composition.

And I get it.

If fat loss has been your focus, cutting carbs works. It lowers insulin, improves insulin sensitivity, and often unlocks fat loss that felt impossible.

But here’s the problem…

👉 The strategy that helps you lose weight

And that’s where people get stuck.

Do you need carbs to build muscle?

👉 No.

But if your goal is to:

👉 Then carbs go from “optional” to strategic.

Muscle isn’t free tissue. Your body doesn’t just hand it out.

To build muscle, you need:

Low calories + low carbs + high cardio?

That’s not a growth signal.

That’s a survival signal.

Carbs are stored as glycogen in muscle—your high-output fuel.

More glycogen =

Less glycogen =

Carbs increase insulin…

…and insulin is not the villain people think it is.

👉 It’s a transporter

It helps:

Without effective insulin signaling?

Think of mTOR as the “on switch” for muscle growth.

Without carbs, you can still build muscle…

👉 But not as efficiently, and not as consistently.

If you don’t eat carbs, your body will make glucose anyway.

How?

👉 By breaking down protein (including muscle) through gluconeogenesis

So yes…

👉 Carbs are protein-sparing

You can maintain muscle on low carbs.

But building new muscle?

That’s where it gets harder.

Why?

👉 You’re pushing your body toward survival… not growth.

Carbs are not the problem.

Poor timing + poor structure = the problem.

👉 That’s how people gain fat and blame carbs.

If carbs go up…

You cannot run:

That’s the fastest way to stall progress.

👉 Flat muscle = softer look

Carbs are not something to fear.

👉 They’re something to respect and use properly

When they have:

They become one of the most powerful tools for body composition.

This is where coaching matters—because timing, structure, and individual physiology all play a role.

👉 Explore programs and coaching:

Until May 5th (Cinco de Mayo):

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No code needed—just order before the deadline.

Make sure you:

You think you “caught a cold”… but that’s not actually what happened.

In this episode of Midlife Mayhem, I’m recording this in real time—full head cold, blocked nose, zero taste, and all—because it’s the perfect opportunity to break down what’s actually happening inside your body.

And trust me… most people get this wrong.

It’s a label, not a specific disease.

What you’re experiencing is a collection of symptoms caused by different viruses—most commonly the rhinovirus.

➡️ You didn’t “catch a cold”

Not alive in the way you think.

A virus is:

👉 It’s basically an instruction packet that hijacks your cells to make more copies of itself

This is where people go wrong.

Viruses (like a cold):

Bacteria (like strep throat):

👉 Taking antibiotics for a cold?

Here’s the twist:

👉 The virus is NOT what makes you feel awful

Your body releases cytokines (chemical messengers) that:

➡️ All the symptoms you hate?

Viruses love cooler environments

Your nasal passages = perfect entry point

So your body responds with:

Annoying? Yes.

It’s not your taste buds—it’s your sense of smell.

When your nasal passages are blocked:

➡️ That’s why everything tastes like cardboard

Let’s be honest about what actually works:

Vitamin C:

Zinc:

👉 Miss that window? You’re just chasing it.

If you’re healthy → usually faster.

This surprises people:

👉 You’re most contagious before you even know you’re sick

And in the first few days of symptoms.

It doesn’t “move.”

It’s about where inflammation is strongest:

Muscle isn’t just for aesthetics.

It’s:

👉 When you’re sick, your body pulls from reserves

This is why people with more muscle tend to be:

Kids:

Adults:

Parents?

Colds happen all year.

But winter creates the perfect setup:

➡️ More opportunity for viruses to spread

You’re not “weak” when you get sick.

👉 You got caught off guard

And those symptoms?

They’re not the problem…

If you enjoyed this episode and want deeper dives into metabolism, fat loss, and cutting-edge strategies:

👉 Head over to YouTube and search Joanne Lee Cornish

Weekly Insulin, Testosterone & a Lesson I Should Have Known

A new insulin, Insulin icodec, has just been approved.

👉 One injection per week

That’s a major shift in how diabetes can be managed—and more importantly, how well people actually stick to it.

This is where most people get confused.

Type 2 diabetes starts with too much insulin…

…but over time, the pancreas burns out.

👉 Insulin drops

At that point:

👉 Insulin isn’t the problem—it’s the missing piece

Without enough insulin:

This episode also dives into a bigger theme:

👉 The best plan only works if you follow it

I share:

Same tool—different outcomes.

I also share something I should have caught sooner:

👉 Histamine

From foods I was eating daily (tomatoes + leftovers)

Once removed:

👉 The goal isn’t perfection

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How Much Protein Do You REALLY Need? (And Why I’m Not Changing My Mind)

Everyone’s talking about protein again… and now the narrative is shifting.

“Studies say you don’t need that much.”

Sounds convenient, doesn’t it?

In this episode of Midlife Mayhem, I break down exactly why I’m not changing my stance—and why aiming for 1 gram of protein per pound of goal weight still stands strong.

Because this isn’t just about muscle. Not even close.

Yes — research shows that around 0.7–0.8g per pound can support muscle protein synthesis.

But here’s the problem:

And I don’t coach for just one outcome.

You want results from your training — protein delivers that.

But that’s just the baseline.

If you only eat:

Where are the rest of your calories coming from?

👉 Carbs and fats.

And that’s exactly where most people:

Protein isn’t just a target — it’s a control mechanism.

When protein goes up:

This isn’t theory — I see it every single time.

Within 2–3 days, people go from:

That’s physiology, not willpower.

Let’s be clear:

There’s no efficient pathway for it.

So if you're going to “overeat” something?

👉 Protein is the safest place to do it.

If you’re 40+:

A 25-year-old and a 55-year-old do not play by the same rules.

So those studies?

👉 Who were they testing?

Because it matters.

People don’t struggle with protein because they can’t eat it.

They struggle because:

And those are very different things.

That’s the goal.

The studies aren’t wrong.

They’re just incomplete.

And I’m not coaching for “just enough.”

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👉 Supplements (5-Amino-1MQ & SLU-PP-332):

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Leptin: The Hormone That Can Make You Hungry… or Not

Hello Midlife Mayhem—

Today we’re talking about something that explains a LOT when it comes to fat loss and appetite:

👉 Leptin

And I’ll start with this—

I recently did a podcast on appetite, and while the information was solid…

👉 Hungry all the time

This episode fixes that.

Leptin is your body’s appetite regulator, produced by your fat cells.

👉 More fat = more leptin

And your brain responds like this:

High leptin:

Low leptin:

👉 Perfect in theory… frustrating in real life.

As you lose weight:

👉 This is why those last pounds feel so difficult.

It’s not you. It’s physiology.

This is where it really matters.

👉 You have plenty of leptin… but your brain doesn’t recognize it.

So instead of saying:

Your brain says:

And the result:

👉 This is not a willpower issue.

These medications reduce appetite—and for many people, that’s life-changing.

But then comes a fork:

👉 Same tool. Completely different outcome.

Strategically increasing calories (especially carbs) can signal:

👉 “We’re not starving”

This can help:

And yes—

👉 It needs carbs to work properly.

Leptin can:

So if you’ve ever thought:

👉 “Why am I always hungry?”

There may be a real physiological reason.

If appetite has ever felt like a constant battle—

I go live on YouTube every Sunday—

👉 Subscribe here: @joanneleecornish

👉 www.joannelee.com

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NNMT, Cancer Risk & 5-Amino-1MQ – Where Science Ends and Assumptions Begin

Alright… this one is interesting.

Because I talk a lot about 5-Amino-1MQ—

But recently, I was in a conversation with a doctor…

And his reasoning?

👉 It inhibits NNMT

Now before we go any further—

I am NOT saying 5-Amino prevents or treats cancer.

What he was doing…

And honestly?

It’s a fascinating one.

NNMT (Nicotinamide N-Methyltransferase) is an enzyme involved in how your body manages:

When NNMT is elevated, it’s associated with:

👉 This is why it shows up so strongly in midlife weight gain

And it’s also why I talk so much about 5-Amino-1MQ—

NNMT doesn’t just show up in metabolism.

It’s also upregulated in certain cancers, including:

In these environments, NNMT appears to support:

👉 In simple terms: cancer cells may use NNMT to survive.

So researchers have asked:

What happens if we inhibit NNMT?

In early-stage research (cells + animal models),

That’s real.

But here’s the key…

We have:

So the leap becomes:

👉 “Does taking 5-Amino reduce cancer risk?”

And the honest answer is:

We don’t have evidence to say that.

No human trials.

What we have is a mechanistic connection—

Here’s where it gets even more compelling…

NNMT increases with:

And those same conditions are associated with:

So now we’re looking at a broader picture:

👉 A metabolic environment that becomes more vulnerable over time

And NNMT may be one of the players in that shift.

Not the cause.

This is not a recommendation.

This is not a protocol.

This is simply a lens.

👉 That intersection is worth understanding.

Just remember:

Interesting ≠ proven

If you’ve been following my work, you already know I use and talk about:

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Insulin Isn’t the Enemy: Why Carbs Might Actually Help You Build Muscle

Show Notes

Before we dive in, a couple of quick reminders.

My Muscle Month program starts March 29, and it only runs once a year. If you’ve been thinking about joining, this is the time. The program walks you through exactly how muscle is built and protected in midlife — including insulin, carbohydrates, mTOR, AMPK, and how to actually use these tools to your advantage.

You can join at musclemonth.com.

Now onto today’s topic.

In this episode I talk about insulin, and why it has been given such a terrible reputation in the health and fitness world. For years we’ve heard that carbohydrates spike insulin, insulin stores fat, and therefore carbs must be the problem. And while there is some truth buried in that narrative, the reality is far more interesting.

Insulin is not the villain. It’s actually a tool.

Yes, when insulin is chronically elevated it can absolutely prevent fat loss. A prolonged high-insulin state is one of the biggest reasons people struggle to lose weight, particularly in midlife. Stress, sedentary lifestyles, constant snacking, poor sleep and excessive carbohydrate intake can all push insulin up and keep it there. When that happens, the body simply can’t access stored body fat efficiently.

But that doesn’t mean insulin itself is the problem.

Insulin is one of the body’s key growth signals, alongside protein, testosterone and growth hormone. It helps move nutrients into cells, including glucose and amino acids, which means it plays a direct role in muscle repair, recovery and growth. If someone completely avoids carbohydrates out of fear of insulin, they may actually be removing one of the body’s natural tools for maintaining muscle.

A big part of the conversation in this episode is about environment. Hormones respond to the environment we create. If someone is stressed, sedentary, eating constantly and sleeping poorly, insulin will behave very differently than it will in someone who is active, training, eating strategically and giving the body periods where insulin can come back down.

When used correctly, insulin can actually support both muscle building and fat loss. Timing carbohydrates around activity, especially training, can help direct those carbohydrates into muscle where they’re stored as glycogen rather than fat. Insulin also helps move amino acids into muscle tissue, which is critical for protecting muscle as we age.

I also share a little about my own experience. For many years I ate very low carbohydrate and it worked well for me. But after a major surgery in my 50s where I lost a significant amount of muscle, I had to rethink my approach. Bringing carbohydrates back in strategically allowed me to support muscle again, sleep better, recover better, and overall feel better.

The big takeaway from this episode is simple: insulin is not the enemy. It simply reacts to the environment we create. When we understand how it works, it becomes something we can use to our advantage rather than something we fear.

And if you’d like to go deeper into how all of this works — especially in midlife — Muscle Month starts March 29. You can learn more and sign up at musclemonth.com.

Also, if you’d like to catch the new weekly live sessions, head over to YouTube and subscribe to Joanne Lee Cornish so you’ll get notified when I go live.