Optimal Metabolism

If your body suddenly seems to be playing by a completely different set of rules in perimenopause or menopause, this episode is for you!

For the first time ever on Optimal Metabolism, I am welcoming back a three-peat guest! Cynthia Thurlow, NP, is a two-time TEDx speaker, international speaker, bestselling author, and host of the Everyday Wellness podcast. Her viral TEDx talk on intermittent fasting has surpassed 15 million views, and she has become a leading voice in women's metabolic health, perimenopause, menopause, and intermittent fasting.

Cynthia joins me to discuss her latest book, The Menopause Gut: Balance Your Microbiome to Reclaim Your Health in Midlife and Beyond.

We're digging into the connection between declining estrogen and the microbiome—and why changes in your gut may affect everything from insulin resistance and stubborn weight gain to inflammation, energy, sleep, brain health, and hormone balance.

If you've been eating healthy, exercising, fasting, and doing all the things that used to work—but your body isn't responding the same way anymore—this conversation may help explain why.

• Why the gut becomes increasingly important as estrogen declines
• How the microbiome changes during perimenopause and menopause
• The connection between gut health, insulin resistance, and blood sugar
• Why stubborn weight gain in midlife isn't simply about calories or willpower
• What the microgenderome is and why women should know about it
• Why digestive problems and food sensitivities can suddenly appear after 40
• The estrobolome and the relationship between gut health and estrogen metabolism
• How chronic stress can influence the gut and the menopause transition
• Why sleep and circadian rhythm matter for gut and metabolic health
• The gut-brain connection and why anxiety and brain fog can increase during midlife
• How gut and hormonal changes may influence immune health and autoimmunity
• Why extreme dieting and exercise strategies may stop working in midlife
• Practical ways women can begin supporting their microbiome and metabolism

Cynthia Thurlow is a nurse practitioner, two-time TEDx speaker, international speaker, and founder and CEO of the Everyday Wellness Project. With more than 25 years of experience in health and wellness, she specializes in perimenopause, menopause, intermittent fasting, and women's metabolic health.

She is the bestselling author of Intermittent Fasting Transformation and The Menopause Gut: Balance Your Microbiome to Reclaim Your Health in Midlife and Beyond.

📕 The Menopause Gut: Cynthia's latest release and the foundation of her gut-centric approach to perimenopause and menopause.

Order the book here: https://www.cynthiathurlow.com/the-menopause-gut

Or order from any major book retailer.

🎁 Bonus Resources + Gut-Type Guide: https://themenopausegut.com/

🌐 Cynthia's Website: https://www.cynthiathurlow.com/

🧭 90-Day COMPASS Reset

If you're tired of guessing what your body needs, COMPASS gives you a structured 90-day roadmap to help improve insulin sensitivity, blood sugar, metabolic health, and body composition—with education, accountability, weekly coaching, tracking, and support along the way.

Our next COMPASS session begins mid-September 2026.

Learn more + join COMPASS: https://shanahussinwellness.com/programs-courses/reset/

✨ The Feel Great System

Want to start with something simple? The Feel Great System is a simple two-step daily system designed to support blood sugar, insulin sensitivity, cravings, fasting, energy, and overall metabolic health.

Learn more about the Feel Great System: https://shanahussinwellness.com/programs-courses/feelgreat/

🎙️ Optimal Metabolism Podcast: https://shanahussinwellness.com/podcast/

🌐 Shana Hussin Wellness: https://shanahussinwellness.com/

What if we've been focusing on the wrong things when it comes to preventing heart disease?

In this episode of Optimal Metabolism, I sit down with Daniel Trevor, heart attack survivor, citizen scientist, serial entrepreneur, and author of Unholy Trinity: How Carbs, Sugar & Oils Make Us Fat, Sick & Addicted and How to Escape Their Grip.

Daniel's interest in cardiovascular and metabolic health became deeply personal after suffering a heart attack despite believing he was doing the right things for his health. That experience sent him deep into the research surrounding cholesterol, insulin resistance, blood sugar, type 2 diabetes, nutrition, and cardiovascular disease.

And this conversation challenges a LOT of conventional thinking!

We explore whether cholesterol alone gives us an accurate picture of cardiovascular risk, why metabolic dysfunction and insulin resistance deserve much more attention in the heart disease conversation, and which tests Daniel believes can provide a better picture of what's happening before a cardiovascular event occurs.

We also get into statins, vegetable oils, low-fat diets, processed foods, obesity, prediabetes, and why our rates of metabolic disease have risen so dramatically.

You don't have to agree with every perspective presented in this episode to benefit from asking better questions about your health. My hope is that this conversation encourages you to become more informed about your own metabolic health, understand your numbers, and have deeper conversations with your healthcare provider.

• Daniel's own heart attack and why it completely changed the direction of his life
• Why he began questioning conventional thinking surrounding cholesterol and heart disease
• Is high cholesterol always an accurate predictor of cardiovascular risk?
• The relationship between insulin resistance, type 2 diabetes, blood sugar, and heart disease
• Why prediabetes and insulin resistance can go undetected for years
• Which cardiovascular tests and markers Daniel believes deserve more attention
• The controversy surrounding statins and their relationship with blood sugar and type 2 diabetes
• What Daniel believes we've gotten wrong about vegetable oils and dietary fat
• Why he challenges conventional low-fat nutrition advice
• Processed foods, appetite, cravings, and our modern food environment
• What's really behind the dramatic rise in obesity and metabolic disease
• What the Blue Zones can—and can't—teach us about longevity
• Practical steps you can take to better understand your metabolic and cardiovascular health

Daniel Trevor is a citizen scientist, serial entrepreneur, heart attack survivor, and author of Unholy Trinity: How Carbs, Sugar & Oils Make Us Fat, Sick & Addicted and How to Escape Their Grip.

Following his own heart attack, Daniel immersed himself in research surrounding cardiovascular disease and metabolic health. His book draws from more than 1,200 scientific references as he explores the relationships among our modern diet, insulin resistance, obesity, type 2 diabetes, and heart disease.

Learn more about Daniel and his work: DanielTrevor.com

I'm officially starting another round of my 12-Week Metabolic Reset this September—and I'm doing it right alongside you!

If you're ready to focus on your blood sugar, insulin resistance, weight, energy, and overall metabolic health, I'd love for you to join me.

If you're planning to participate, now is the time to get started with the Feel Great System so you have your products and are comfortable using them before we officially begin the Reset.

12-Week Metabolic Reset: https://shanahussinwellness.com/programs-courses/reset/

Get Started with the Feel Great System: https://ufeelgreat.com/c/SHANAH

Website: https://shanahussinwellness.com/

Instagram: @shana.hussin.rdn

What if obesity isn't simply about food?

In one of the most powerful conversations I've ever had on the Optimal Metabolism podcast, I sit down with CrossFit coach, author, educator, and metabolic health advocate Athena Perez to explore the deeper roots of obesity, emotional eating, and lasting transformation.

Athena's story begins long before she reached nearly 500 pounds. She shares how childhood trauma shaped her relationship with food, why lasting healing required far more than losing weight, and how addressing her emotional health became just as important as improving her physical health.

We also take a fascinating deep dive into Athena's experience completing multiple 40-day fasts. She openly discusses why she chose such an extended fast, what happened to her body and mind throughout the process, how she approached refeeding afterward, and whether she believes prolonged fasting helped reset her metabolism.

This episode isn't about promoting extreme fasting. It's about understanding the complex relationship between trauma, metabolism, behavior change, and healing. Whether you've struggled with weight, emotional eating, insulin resistance, or simply want to better understand the human side of obesity, I believe this conversation will stay with you long after it ends.

• Athena's journey from nearly 500 pounds to becoming a CrossFit coach and educator
• The connection between childhood trauma and lifelong struggles with obesity
• Why healing emotional wounds was just as important as changing nutrition habits
• The decision to complete a 40-day fast
• What happened physically, mentally, and emotionally during the fast
• Whether prolonged fasting can "reset" metabolism
• The often-overlooked importance of the refeeding process
• What Athena learned about true hunger versus emotional hunger
• Common misconceptions about obesity and larger-bodied athletes
• Why sustainable healing goes far beyond the number on the scale

Website: https://www.athenamperez.com

Instagram: @athenamperez

Learn more about Scaled Nation Training and Athena's educational resources for coaches and healthcare professionals.

Website: https://shanahussinwellness.com/

Instagram: @shana.hussin.rdn

Facebook: Shana Hussin Wellness

Shana's 90-Day Metabolic Reset, COMPASS

Could your gut be the missing piece behind your hormone imbalance, stubborn weight, fatigue, and blood sugar struggles?

In this episode of Optimal Metabolism, I'm joined by returning guest Dr. Cassie Smith, licensed naturopathic physician, founder of Modern Endocrine, and author of the new book Fix Your Gut, Fix Your Hormones.

Dr. Cassie explains why so many women spend years chasing hormone solutions without realizing that the health of their gut may be driving many of their symptoms. We discuss the fascinating relationship between gut health, estrogen metabolism, cortisol, insulin resistance, inflammation, and metabolic health, along with practical strategies you can begin implementing today.

If you've been struggling with stubborn weight, digestive issues, hormone imbalance, fatigue, or simply feel like your body isn't responding the way it used to, this episode will help you understand why healing often starts in the gut.

Dr. Cassie Smith

• Modern Endocrine: https://www.modern-endocrine.com/

• Fix Your Gut, Fix Your Hormones: https://guthormonefix.com/

Instagram: @shana.hussin.rdn

Facebook: Shana Hussin Wellness

Website: https://shanahussinwellness.com/

Podcast: https://shanahussinwellness.com/podcast/

Feel Great System One of my favorite tools for supporting healthy blood sugar, gut health, and metabolic wellness. Learn more here: https://ufeelgreat.com/c/SHANAH

Balance Fiber This is the fiber supplement I personally recommend to help nourish the gut microbiome, support healthy digestion, and promote balanced blood sugar: https://unicity.link/4fd5ff95bd

Have you recently been told you have fatty liver or high cholesterol? If so, you're not alone, and the good news is there are practical steps you can take to improve your metabolic health.

In this episode, I explain why these conditions are connected and why simply focusing on cholesterol numbers or liver enzymes doesn't tell the whole story. We'll explore the root causes behind fatty liver and high cholesterol, and I'll share natural, sustainable strategies you can begin using today.

In this episode, you'll learn:

• Why fatty liver isn't simply caused by eating fat
• How insulin resistance can contribute to both fatty liver and high cholesterol
• The "overflowing sink" analogy that explains why addressing the root cause matters
• Why cholesterol isn't the enemy—and what your numbers may actually be telling you
• The important connection between your gut, liver, and metabolism
• Simple lifestyle habits that support healthy blood sugar, liver function, and heart health
• Why I recommend beginning with a daily metabolic support system that combines a high-potency tea and a fiber matrix to support healthy blood sugar, cravings, gut health, energy, and healthy cholesterol levels

Whether you've recently received concerning lab results or you're looking for natural ways to improve your metabolic health, this episode will help you understand what's happening in your body—and what you can do about it.

Your body isn't broken. It's responding to the signals it receives. When you improve those signals with consistent daily habits, you give your body the opportunity to heal and thrive.

If you're ready for more guidance and support, learn more about my 90-Day Metabolic Reset (COMPASS), where we take a deeper dive into restoring metabolic health through education, coaching, and practical lifestyle strategies.

JOIN COMPASS: https://shanahussinwellness.com/programs-courses/reset/

TEA + FIBER NUTRACEUTICALS: https://ufeelgreat.com/c/SHANAH

If you listened to Dane Johnson's first appearance on the podcast, you know his personal healing journey from severe Crohn's/Colitis inspired thousands of people struggling with inflammatory bowel disease. In this follow-up conversation, we go far beyond his story and take a deep dive into the practical strategies he uses to help clients address the root causes of chronic gut inflammation.

We discuss hidden pathogens, environmental toxins, functional lab testing, a variety of peptides, the pros and cons of popular gut-healing diets, advanced therapies, and the often-overlooked connection between the nervous system and digestive health. Dane also shares the biggest mistakes he sees people make while trying to heal on their own and offers practical first steps for those feeling overwhelmed.

Whether you're struggling with Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, IBS, autoimmune disease, or simply chronic digestive symptoms, this episode offers a thoughtful look at what true gut healing can involve.

Learn more from Dane Johnson: https://crohnscolitislifestyle.com/

Many people focus only on food or supplements, but healing often requires addressing the gut, metabolism, and nervous system together.

🌿 Cortisol Calm If chronic stress, poor sleep, adrenal dysfunction, or nervous system dysregulation are holding back your healing, my Cortisol Calm course will teach you how to naturally restore healthy cortisol, melatonin, and circadian rhythms without relying on endless supplements.

🌱 The Feel Great System Looking for a comprehensive approach to gut and metabolic health? The Feel Great System combines nutritional support with targeted products designed to help optimize digestive health, reduce inflammation, and support a healthier microbiome.

🌾 Patented Fiber Blend One of my favorite tools for supporting digestion, feeding beneficial gut bacteria, and promoting overall gut health is this highly studied fiber blend.

Instagram: @shana.hussin.rdn

Facebook: Shana Hussin Wellness

Website: https://shanahussinwellness.com/

Most people think fiber is simply about digestion.

But fiber is one of the most powerful tools we have for supporting blood sugar regulation, cholesterol, gut health, appetite, and overall metabolic health.

The surprising part?

Not all fibers do the same job.

In this episode, I explain why fiber diversity matters and how different soluble and insoluble fibers work together as a fiber matrix to support multiple systems throughout the body.

We'll also discuss one of the biggest misconceptions on social media, that all "gums" are unhealthy, and review what the research actually says about ingredients like guar gum, gum arabic, beta-glucans, citrus pectin, and more.

Whether you're working on insulin resistance, digestive health, cholesterol, or simply trying to understand nutrition on a deeper level, this episode will help you make more informed decisions about fiber.

• Why fiber is about much more than digestion
• The difference between soluble fibers and why each one has a unique role
• How a fiber matrix supports blood sugar, cholesterol, gut health, and satiety
• The science behind guar gum, gum arabic, beta-glucans, locust bean gum, and citrus pectin
• Why some people experience bloating when increasing fiber
• The truth about the "gums are bad" debate
• How to evaluate nutrition claims using evidence instead of fear

If you'd like to learn more about the multi-fiber supplement discussed in this episode, you can find it here:

Fiber Matrix (Balance): Balance Fiber Matrix

If you're interested in the complete Feel Great System, which combines the fiber matrix with a polyphenol blend to support metabolic health, you can learn more here:

Feel Great System: Feel Great System

One of the most significant changes in women's health has officially arrived. Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) is now known as Polyendocrine Metabolic Ovarian Syndrome (PMOS)—a name that better reflects the true nature of this common condition.

In this episode, I sit down with Cory Ruth, RDN, women's health and PMOS expert, to discuss why this historic name change was made and what it means for the millions of women living with the condition. We explore how the previous name often led to confusion by focusing on the ovaries, when the condition is fundamentally driven by complex endocrine and metabolic dysfunction.

Cory explains why insulin resistance plays such a central role, why weight loss can feel so frustrating, how PMOS impacts fertility and long-term health, and what women can do to support their metabolism through nutrition and lifestyle.

If you've ever struggled with stubborn weight, blood sugar instability, irregular cycles, infertility, or have been diagnosed with PMOS (formerly PCOS), this conversation will help you better understand what's happening inside your body—and why this new name represents an important step forward in women's healthcare.

• Why PCOS was officially renamed Polyendocrine Metabolic Ovarian Syndrome (PMOS)
• How insulin resistance drives many PMOS symptoms
• Why PMOS is much more than an ovarian condition
• The connection between metabolism, hormones, fertility, and overall health
• Why weight loss is often so challenging with PMOS
• Nutrition and lifestyle strategies to improve metabolic health
• Common myths surrounding PMOS
• Practical first steps women can take to better manage the condition

Website: www.thewomensdietitian.com

Instagram: @thewomensdietitian

Book: PCOS Is My Power

Instagram: @shana.hussin.rdn

Facebook: Fast To Heal With Shana Hussin

Website: shanahussinwellness.com

⭐ 90-Day Metabolic Reset (Start Here!) If you're struggling with insulin resistance, weight loss resistance, blood sugar issues, or have been diagnosed with PMOS (formerly PCOS), the 90-Day Metabolic Reset is the perfect place to begin. This comprehensive program will help you restore metabolic health through simple, science-backed nutrition and lifestyle strategies designed to address the root causes of metabolic dysfunction. 👉 https://shanahussinwellness.com/programs-courses/reset/

If you're looking for a simple way to support healthy blood sugar levels after meals, I'm excited to share one of my favorite products—GOOD IDEA®! This refreshing sparkling beverage is designed to help reduce post-meal blood sugar spikes when enjoyed before eating, making it a great addition to your metabolic health routine.

💙 Save 15% on your order with code: SHANAH

Shop here: https://www.goodidea.us/discount/SHANAH

To celebrate the podcast, I'm giving away ONE FREE month supply of the Feel Great System, valued at $235!

Here's how to enter:

⭐ Leave a rating and review for the Optimal Metabolism podcast on Apple Podcasts.

⭐ Take a screenshot of your review.

⭐ Email your screenshot to [email protected] by July 31.

🎉 One winner will be randomly selected and announced during the first week of August.

Thank you for listening to and supporting the podcast, it helps us reach more people looking for hope and practical solutions for better metabolic health!

Have you ever wondered why some people seem to do everything "right"—eat nutritious foods, take quality supplements, exercise regularly, and prioritize sleep—yet still struggle with fatigue, inflammation, hormone imbalance, or stubborn metabolic issues?

In this fascinating conversation, I sit down with Dan Stachofsky, founder of Essential Energy, to explore one of the most overlooked influences on our health: the environment we live in every day.

Dan's journey into environmental health began after his daughter developed a chronic immune condition that didn't fully respond to conventional or functional medicine. His search for answers led him to investigate how light, electromagnetic fields (EMFs), and our modern environment influence cellular energy, nervous system regulation, and the body's ability to heal.

If you've been working to improve your metabolism, reverse insulin resistance, heal adrenal dysfunction, or restore your energy but still feel stuck, this episode may help you discover a missing piece of the puzzle.

• Dan's personal journey from technology executive to environmental health advocate
• Why some people don't heal—even when they're following the "perfect" protocol
• The hidden impact of our modern environment on metabolism and overall health
• How light influences mitochondria, cellular energy, and recovery
• The relationship between EMFs, the nervous system, and chronic stress
• Why circadian health is foundational for hormone balance and healing
• How artificial light can affect sleep, cortisol, melatonin, and blood sugar regulation
• Practical ways to create a healthier home and work environment
• Simple changes you can make today to better support your body's natural healing processes

Dan Stachofsky is the founder of Essential Energy. After years in the technology industry helping build digital infrastructure for companies like Microsoft and Amazon, his daughter's chronic illness led him on a search for answers beyond conventional medicine. Today, Dan works alongside integrative practitioners to help people understand how light, electromagnetic fields, and environmental stress can impact cellular function and long-term health.

Learn more at: https://essentialenergy.solutions/

Use code SHANAH for a discount!

If you're realizing there's more to healing than just food and supplements, my COMPASS 90-Day Metabolic Reset Program is the perfect place to begin.

COMPASS is a simple, step-by-step program designed to help you reduce inflammation, stabilize blood sugar, improve energy, reverse fatty liver, reduce sholesterol, and build a strong foundation for metabolic health. You'll learn practical strategies around nutrition, meal timing, circadian rhythm, light exposure, stress reduction, and other lifestyle habits that help your body function the way it was designed to.

Learn more here: https://shanahussinwellness.com/programs-courses/reset/

Website: https://shanahussinwellness.com

Instagram: @shana.hussin.rdn

Facebook: Shana Hussin Wellness

Obesity treatment has changed dramatically over the past decade. While nutrition and lifestyle remain the foundation of long-term metabolic health, today's medical landscape also includes bariatric surgery and GLP-1 medications as potential tools for certain individuals.

In this episode, I sit down with board-certified bariatric surgeon and obesity medicine specialist Dr. Betsy Dovec to discuss how obesity treatment has evolved, who may benefit from bariatric surgery, how today's procedures differ from common misconceptions, and where GLP-1 medications fit into the conversation.

Whether you've considered surgery yourself, are curious about today's obesity treatments, or simply want to better understand the options available, this episode offers a thoughtful, balanced discussion focused on long-term health—not just weight loss.

• How bariatric surgery has changed over the years
• Who may be an appropriate candidate for weight loss surgery
• Common myths and misconceptions about bariatric surgery
• The role of GLP-1 medications in modern obesity treatment
• Why preserving muscle mass is essential during weight loss
• What happens when GLP-1 medications are discontinued
• The importance of protein, resistance training, and medical follow-up
• Looking beyond the scale to prioritize metabolic health and longevity

Website: https://bodybybariatrics.com/

⭐ Feel Great System https://shanahussinwellness.com/feel-great-system/

⭐ 90-Day Metabolic Reset https://shanahussinwellness.com/90-day-reset/

Website: https://shanahussinwellness.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shana.hussin.rdn/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FastToHealWithShanaHussin

✔ Low Insulin Academy https://shanahussinwellness.com/programs-courses/low-insulin-academy-on-demand/

✔ Cortisol Calm https://shanahussinwellness.com/programs-courses/cortisol-calm-signature-course/

If you enjoyed today's conversation, please share this episode with a friend or family member and consider leaving a rating and review. Your support helps us continue bringing you evidence-based conversations that empower you to take control of your metabolic health.