In this episode, we're diving into a topic that's a game-changer for anyone looking to take control of their health. Our special guest, MaryAnn Marks, is here to help break down one of the most under-utilized resources in both conventional and functional medicine - The Simple Blood Test.

Conventional ranges are based on averages from a largely unhealthy population or when medication is appropriate, not when dysfunction begins, which means your "normal" might be far from optimal.

And let’s face it, having “normal” health kinda sucks these days.

Many of the ranges used in functional medicine, though well-intentioned lack any research-backed validation.

We get into how tighter, research-backed ranges can reveal imbalances before they turn into full-blown health issues. We are covering everything from thyroid hormones and testosterone to blood sugar levels and markers that change during pregnancy and menopause.

How simple and affordable lab markers can help to pinpoint deficiencies and potential health risks early on, allowing you to make proactive changes before diseases are present, and possibly before you experience any symptoms.

We talk about how factors like age, sex, ethnicity, menstrual phase, and even elevation can skew your results making things look normal or abnormal when they are not.

This episode is packed with actionable insights that will empower you to get the most out of your blood work and truly optimize your health.

So, if you've ever been told your results are "normal" but you still don't feel right, this one's for you!

Be sure to check the show notes or send me a dm on Instagram for the Blood Work Prep Guide. There are several common mistakes people make before getting their labwork done that can lead to a misdiagnosis, unnecessary treatments, or being dismissed by a health care practitioner when you know something is off. So, please don’t miss out on that.

The Labsmarts Software:

https://labsmarts.com/

MaryAnn on Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/labsmarts/

Blood Work Prep Guide:

https://estrogenevolution.ck.page/bloodprep

Follow Jessie On IG:

https://www.instagram.com/jessie_dotlife/

Your Estrogen Evolution:

https://estrogenevolution.ck.page/betalaunch

Your Optimal Health Blueprint

https://jessie.life/optimal-health-blueprint/

Chapters

00:36 - Introduction of Maryann Marks

01:28 - Maryann's background and health journey

02:26 - Learning about blood work and starting LabSmart software

03:29 - Understanding blood work ranges and their limitations

05:11 - Creating optimal and functional ranges for better health interpretation

07:26 - Functional interpretation examples: thyroid and testosterone

11:01 - Blood markers during pregnancy

13:21 - Impact of elevation on blood markers

15:02 - Changes in blood markers during menopause

17:28 - Research backing for LabSmart's optimal ranges

22:13 - Importance of blood chemistry in functional medicine

26:00 - Maryann's hysterectomy story

31:13 - Discussion on aging and health

33:57 - Final thoughts and where to find Maryann's software

34:55 - Sign-off

In this episode of The 40 & Unfiltered Podcast, Lauren Loparo shares her experience with natural birth at a birthing center which was intense and not at all what she expected.

Her first birthing experience was in a hospital, so she's able to give us her thoughts on both.

Was this natural birth orgasmic like she saw on Instagram? What were the key differences between the two experiences?

Hit play to get all your questions answered! And you're gonna laugh way more than you'd think, starting about 20 minutes in!

We talk about her care leading up to the birth, the entire birth experience, and her follow-up care afterward.

We start off also discussing low milk supply and making your own formula.

Do you have more questions? DM us on IG

Chapters

Follow Jessie On IG:

https://www.instagram.com/jessie_dotlife/

Your Estrogen Evolution:

https://estrogenevolution.ck.page/betalaunch

Your Optimal Health Blueprint

https://jessie.life/optimal-health-blueprint/

Find Lauren L on IG:

https://www.instagram.com/expand_thai_massage/

Find Lauren O on IG

https://www.instagram.com/coachlaurenohanlon/

Disclaimer:

After several episodes discussing all the potential problems and symptoms that can appear during perimenopause and menopause, I thought we should discuss many of the awesome things to look forward to when thinking about the rest of your life.

We talk about the actions you can start doing today to ensure you are able to live a long, healthy, and independent life.

Chapters

00:00 - Navigating Health Insurance and At-Home Perimenopause Testing

11:07 - What Health Screenings Do I Need During In My 40s?

31:23 - How Can Diet and Lifestyle Choices Improve Perimenopause & Menopause Symptoms?

32:07 - How to Take Charge of Your Health in Your 40s To Be Independent In Your 80s

37:56 - What Hormone Tests Should I Get for Perimenopause?

52:56 - How to Preserve Muscle and Stay Strong During Menopause

Resources Mentioned

Breast Cancer Screening With Dense Breast Tissue

DEXA Bone Mineral Density and Body Composition Scans

https://radiology.ucsf.edu/blog/dxadexa-beats-bmi-using-x-ray-exam-measure-body-composition-fat-loss

Clear Blue Easy Perimenopause / Menopause At Home Testing Kit

https://a.co/d/0bLZ712n

Huberman Lab Podcast With Dr. Means

https://www.hubermanlab.com/episode/dr-casey-means-transform-your-health-by-improving-metabolism-hormone-blood-sugar-regulation

Cronometer App

Cronometer.com

Follow Jessie On IG:

https://www.instagram.com/jessie_dotlife/

Your Estrogen Evolution:

https://estrogenevolution.ck.page/betalaunch

Your Optimal Health Blueprint

https://jessie.life/optimal-health-blueprint/

Find Lauren L on IG:

https://www.instagram.com/expand_thai_massage/

Find Lauren O on IG

https://www.instagram.com/coachlaurenohanlon/

Disclaimer:

This week, Other Lauren & I are diving deep into my personal rollercoaster ride through perimenopause, menopause, and hormone replacement therapy (HRT).

I'm sharing the gritty details of my symptoms like disrupted sleep, anxiety, and yes, even rage.

We’re breaking down the science behind HRT, debunking myths, and sharing what really works.

Plus, we'll chat about the impact of stress and lifestyle on menopause. If you're in your 40s or just curious about menopause, this episode is packed with insights and answers you need.

Chapters

03:15 - Home Alone: Reflections on Personal Space

08:00 - Birthday Parties Gone Wild

15:30 - Menopause Awareness and Medical Myths

25:00 - Hormone Therapy: Personal Experiences and Insights

35:20 - The Emotional Rollercoaster of Menopause

45:00 - Practical Tips for Navigating Menopause

55:00 - Fun Facts and Future Plans

Resources Mentioned

The New Menopause: Navigating Your Path Through Hormonal Change with Purpose, Power, and Facts

https://a.co/d/04TH0JKo

https://a.co/d/06KjhmMA

https://www.menopause.org/

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38484309/

Clearblue Menopause Stage Indicator

https://a.co/d/08YfK7az

https://jessie.life/hrt/

Follow Jessie On IG:

Join Jessie and Lauren in this lively episode of "40 and Unfiltered" as they dive into the chaos and joys of moving furniture, finding mental clarity amidst life's hustle, and the surprising ways they cope with stress. From Jessie's upcoming solo retreat at home to Lauren's thoughtful take on long-term health, this episode is packed with relatable stories, practical tips, and plenty of laughs. They discuss what to consider doing now if you want to be able to get off the floor at 75. Whether you're navigating your own busy life or just need a moment of light-hearted fun, tune in and get inspired to tackle your day with a smile.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Cozy Chat

17:34 Do You Think About Long-Term Health

22:09 Balancing Personal Well-Being and Caring for Others

26:13 Will You Be Able To Get Up Off The Floor When You Are 75?

29:53 Making Decisions That Support Long-Term Health and Well-Being

30:21 The Clear Blue Easy Perimenopause Test Kit

35:58 The Link Between Alcohol and Breast Cancer

42:47 The Power of Self-Talk and Self-Compassion

46:39 Handling Overwhelm and Managing Stress

55:31 Finding Relaxation in Reality TV

Follow Jessie On IG:

Your Estrogen Evolution:

Your Optimal Health Blueprint:

Find Lauren L on IG:

Find Lauren O on IG

Disclaimer:

Summary

In this episode of The 40 & Unfiltered Podcast, Other Lauren returns to Co-host as Lauren L prepares to give birth to her second Child (and OMG, just wait till you hear that story).

Jessie is freshly back to the Midwest from Mexico and as usual, seems to be navigating an absurd collage of life events. But she's handling it all in her signature awkward stride now that she seems to have figured out her hormone dosage and delivery methods (which we also discuss).

Lauren gives us updates on her coaching business and family antics and we get to reminisce about what I would call The Best Baby Shower of All Time (And she may have as well had she not been pregnant and gone into labor shortly after). But there were bean bag semen and exploding ranch fountains… just sayin’…

We get into some of the complications that can arise from a vaginal cuff (a closure made at the top of the vagina in the place of the cervix after a hysterectomy) from granulomas to sepsis and what happens when a dissolvable stitch doesn’t dissolve. And what led to the ER visit while in Mexico.

Follow Jessie On IG:

Your Estrogen Evolution:

Your Optimal Health Blueprint:

Find Lauren L on IG:

Find Other Lauren on IG:

Join Jessie and Lauren L in this engaging episode as they navigate all the midlife challenges, from hip injuries and chiropractic care to pregnancy healthcare and hormone therapy. Jessie shares her recent experiences in Mexico, while Lauren dives into her pregnancy journey and preparations for childbirth. They also discuss valuable resources like Kate Spencer's Hypermobility Course, Mind Pump's Symmetry Course, the BirthFit Program, and more. Find all the links to these resources below!

Kate Spencer's Hypermobility Course

Mind Pump's Symmetry Course

Birthfit

Frequency Specific Microcurrent (FSM)

Booty By Bret

The Business of Being Born

00:00 Introduction

01:45 Life Challenges

03:53 Trip to Bacalar

05:44 New Apartment

07:31 Hip Injury

09:58 Medical Diagnosis1

3:31 Chiropractic Adjustments

15:30 Recovery Process

19:14 Understanding the Psoas Muscle

20:15 Stabilizing the Pelvis

23:02 Diastasis Training

24:56 Hypermobility Training

27:32 Hormone Therapy

32:14 Frequency Specific Microcurrent

34:53 Testosterone Gel

41:16 Challenges of Pregnancy

41:54 Shared Experiences

43:20 Physical Changes

44:15 Medical Appointments

48:04 Perinatal Doctor vs. Birthing Center

49:46 Risks and Induction

50:41 Documentary: The Business of Being Born

52:05 Closure of Labor and Delivery Department

54:36 Insurance Issues

55:37 Lab Work and Stool Softeners

57:46 Blood Work and Insurance Claims

01:03:06 Preparation for Birth

01:06:23 Breathing Techniques and Pain Management

01:07:11 Hydrotherapy and Massage Experiences

01:11:48 Sitting and Posture Issues

01:15:00 Sensory Sensitivity

01:16:08 Leg Extension and Discomfort

01:16:18 Preschool Update

01:16:21 Adjusting to Preschool

01:16:48 Making Friends

01:17:18 Positive Experiences at School

01:18:41 Upcoming Performance

01:18:57 Explaining Radio Frequency Therapy

01:19:19 Uncertainty about Therapy

01:19:30 Conclusion

Today, I'm catching up with the amazing Lauren Loparo.

!!WARNING ABOUT TRYPTOPHAN (and any supplements or health interventions) can interfere with many medications - one in particular being anti-depressants which can cause a condition called serotonin syndrome which can be fatal!!!

In this conversation, Jessie and Lauren discuss perimenopause and its impact on women's health. They talk about the symptoms and changes that occur during perimenopause, such as hormonal fluctuations, weight gain, sleep disturbances, and mood swings. They emphasize the importance of seeking medical advice from doctors who are knowledgeable about menopause and offer up-to-date treatments. They also mention the benefits of medical tourism for affordable healthcare options. Overall, the conversation provides valuable insights into understanding and managing perimenopause.

Follow Jessie On IG:

Disclaimer: