If the heaviest thing you’ve lifted lately is your iPhone, this one’s for you. Over the years, have you gotten stronger—or weaker?

The truth is strength doesn’t disappear overnight; it slips away quietly. One day you’re opening jars, the next you're asking for help. It’s common, but it’s not inevitable.

Today’s guest, Dr. Stacy Sims, is here to flip the script. She says strength is a CHOICE—and you make that choice every single day. Dr. Sims is an internationally recognised exercise physiologist and nutrition scientist who specialises in women’s health, performance, and aging.

Her message? Women are not small men—and we need to train, eat, and recover differently. 💥

In This Episode:

🔗 Dr. Stacy Sims’ Website:
www.drstacysims.com

💻 Menopause 2.0 Course:
https://www.drstacysims.com/menopause 

We’re joined by Professor Jayashri Kulkarni, a pioneering psychiatrist and Director of HER Centre Australia, who has spent her career transforming how we understand and treat women’s mental health — especially through perimenopause and menopause.

🔹 Trigger Warning: This episode includes discussion of suicide. Please prioritise your wellbeing and skip this conversation if needed. Support is available via Lifeline and Beyond Blue.

Women aged 45–49 have the highest suicide rate of any age group in Australia.

For 20–30% of women, the emotional and cognitive effects of menopause aren’t just “hormonal mood swings” — they can become severe, debilitating, and life-threatening.

We’re shining a light on the women who’ve been unseen, unheard, and misdiagnosed, and offering real support for those still navigating this in silence.

What really happens to the brain during perimenopause and menopause — and how hormonal changes affect mood, memory, and emotional regulation.

The truth about menopausal depression: why it’s still so misunderstood, and how to recognise the signs early.

The women most at risk — including those with no history of mental illness — and what puts them in danger.

Why standard treatments like SSRIs often fall short, and the growing role of natural therapies and personalised care.

How genetics, lifestyle, trauma, and social stress amplify mental health risks in midlife.

💡 The MENO-D Tool: A screening tool every woman should know about to assess menopausal mental health and advocate for better care.

🧠 Professor Kulkarni’s 30-Day Mental Health Reset: A practical guide to take back control of your mental wellbeing — through sleep, movement, nutrition, connection, and support.

This episode is dedicated to the women whose stories were never told — and to every listener who deserves to feel seen, supported, and empowered to seek better care.

Thank you, Professor Kulkarni, for your tireless advocacy and for giving voice to so many.

Links and Resources

Meno-D Tool

Download the Meno D Tool 

https://www.jeanhailes.org.au/uploads/Webinars/MENO-D-score-sheet.pdf 

Connect with Professor Jayashri Kulkarni

https://research.monash.edu/en/persons/jayashri-kulkarni 

https://www.cabrini.com.au/find-a-doctor/profjayashrikulkarni/ 

https://www.instagram.com/prof_jayashri_kulkarni/

Today’s conversation might just shift the way you see the world — and the people in it.

Because chronic illness isn’t rare. It’s everywhere. It’s the invisible battle so many people are fighting — quietly, bravely — while going about their everyday lives.

And when it strikes, it doesn’t just touch the body. It reshapes everything: careers, relationships, dreams, even how you move through a single day.

The truth is, most of us are already connected to chronic illness — either living with it ourselves, or loving someone who is.

But we don’t often stop to talk about what that really feels like — or what it truly takes to keep showing up.

Today, we’re opening that conversation with Brooke Campbell Bayes — whose life changed overnight, from healthy one day to a diagnosis she never saw coming.. 

Connect with Brooke Campbell Bayes 

https://www.instagram.com/brookecampbellbayes/p/DHO4vBDTorz/ 

Show and Tell Podcasts

https://www.instagram.com/showandtellpodcasts/ 

In this powerful and eye-opening episode, world-renowned neurosurgeon Dr. Charlie Teo joins us to explore the most complex and misunderstood organ in the human body: the brain. From memory and movement to emotion and decision-making, our brains are truly super-computers—yet most of us know shockingly little about how to protect them.

Dr. Teo sheds light on the current brain health crisis, revealing that dementia is now the leading cause of death for Australian women, and delves into the hidden dangers of traumatic brain injuries (TBIs)—often overlooked but with life-altering consequences.

We explore how everyday habits—like chronic stress, screen time, poor diet, and social isolation—are quietly damaging our brain function. Dr. Teo also introduces Cingulum Health, his innovative brain clinic, offering cutting-edge tools like fMRI assessments and TMS therapy to personalise and transform brain care.

Plus, we hear inspiring recovery stories about Owen Wright and others reminding us that healing is possible with cutting eyes software from Omniscent 

Key Takeaways:

Brain health is in crisis—but it's not too late to act.

TBIs can be subtle yet have long-term effects on mood, memory, and cognition.

Daily lifestyle choices play a significant role in brain function and longevity.

Cingulum Health is pioneering personalised brain care with impressive results.

The future of medicine is brain-focused, proactive, and tailored to the individual.

🎧 This episode is a must-listen for anyone who wants to be proactive and take control of their brain health. 

 Connect with

Cingulum Health - https://www.cingulumhealth.com/ 

Omniscient - https://www.o8t.com

In this powerful episode of The Aging Project, we sit down with Alex Isaac—PRE-VIVOR, BRCA1 gene carrier, and fearless advocate for women navigating the often-overlooked intersection of menopause and cancer prevention. 

Alex shares her deeply personal story of making proactive choices to protect her health and how those decisions launched her into a broader mission: to challenge medical gaslighting, demand better care for women, and open up conversations around menopause that are long overdue. 

This is an episode about courage, choice, and the quiet strength of women rewriting their health destinies.

Connect with Alex Isaac:  

https://www.instagram.com/alex.isaac.health/ 

https://alexisaac.com.au/  

https://www.instagram.com/sohot.rightnow/

This episode marks a powerful turning point in women’s health in Australia—and potentially, the world. We’re diving into the Government’s landmark $574.3 million investment into menopause and reproductive health, the largest of its kind globally.

Our guest, Senator Marielle Smith, joins us to unpack how this historic announcement came to be, what it means for women today, and how it sets the stage for a future where women’s pain is no longer dismissed or misunderstood.

We explore the decades of advocacy that led to this moment, the gaps this funding aims to close, and the real impact it will have—from lower medication costs and better GP training to national awareness campaigns and expanded specialist clinics. Senator Smith also shares deeply personal stories from the Senate inquiries that helped spark this unprecedented change.

This is more than a budget line—this is the beginning of a new era in women’s health. One where women feel heard, supported, and empowered to thrive through every stage of life.

In This Episode:

The untold history of menopause care in Australia

What the $574M investment includes—and what it means for you

How GPs are being empowered to better support women

Real stories from women that helped shift national policy

What success looks like—and what’s still to come

Why You Should Listen:
Because this episode proves that when women speak up, policy can change—and lives can too.

Don’t forget to share this episode with someone who needs to hear it.

Subscribe for more conversations that matter.

Connect with Senator Smith 

https://www.instagram.com/senatormariellesmith/ 

Some of us plan our meals, our careers, our finances…But the plan every woman needs—before all of that—is a Menopause Plan. Why? Because this stage of life is not just about symptoms… it’s about disease prevention, longevity, and quality of life.

In this powerful episode, we’re joined by Dr. Mary Claire Haver, bestselling author and beloved menopause advocate, to talk about what really happens in the body during menopause—and why we need to take it seriously.

💥 Menopause is a biological shift that impacts every system and cell in your body. Without a plan, women risk increased rates of:

Heart disease

Osteoporosis

Cognitive decline

Frailty in later life

Dr. Haver shares what every woman should know, from the role of estrogen and why it matters far beyond fertility, to building your personal action plan with nutrition, supplements, strength training, and community support.

🧬 We talk hormones, lifestyle, genetics—and why the old “just tough it out” advice isn’t good enough anymore.

💡 What You’ll Learn:

Why menopause is a health turning point, not just a phase

The disease risks we must take seriously—and how to reduce them

The truth about estrogen: forms, risks, and life-changing benefits

How to build your personal Menopause Plan with food, fitness & lifestyle

The supplements Dr. Haver recommends (and why she wears a weighted vest!)

💬 Key Takeaways:

1 in 2 women over 50 has insulin resistance or prediabetes—most don’t know it

Estrogen therapy can reduce heart disease risk by 50% and extend lifespan by 3+ years

Strength training isn’t optional—it’s essential for bone, brain, and longevity

You need at least 30 plants per week for gut and immune health

No one is coming to “fix” menopause for you—education and action are your power tools

📍 Resources & Mentions:

The New Menopause – Dr. Mary Claire Haver’s Book

Follow Dr. Haver on Instagram: @drmaryclaire

Learn about our Fitgenes Program for DNA-based health insights - https://theagingproject.com/fitgenes-webinar/ 

Try a Vively Continuous Glucose Monitor ($50 off)-  https://www.vively.com.au/cgm?via=TAP 

🎧 Whether you're in perimenopause, post-menopause, or supporting someone who is—this episode is a must-listen.
Grab a notebook (and maybe a weighted vest!)—because by the end, you’ll have the tools to build your Menopause Plan and protect your future.

📢 Share this episode with a woman you care about.
💬 What was your biggest takeaway? DM us or tag us on socials—your voice matters.

But here’s the truth: gut health isn’t something you can afford to dabble in. It’s the foundation of everything—your mood, energy, immunity, digestion, and even long-term disease prevention.

In this episode of The Aging Project Podcast, Clinical Nutritionist Lynsey Koch joins Shelley Craft to help us stop dabbling for good. She breaks down why gut health is the missing piece in longevity, the biggest mistakes we’re making, and how to build gut-friendly habits that actually work.

We see our dentist for our teeth. We visit dermatologists for our skin. But when it comes to our gut—the control centre of our health—who’s keeping us accountable? Many of us only start caring about gut health when something goes wrong. Lynsey explains why we need to shift our thinking and start treating gut health as a daily practice, not a last resort.

Did you know that 90% of serotonin (your feel-good hormone) is made in the gut? Or that a diverse gut microbiome is linked to longer, healthier lives? Poor gut health is now connected to anxiety, depression, weight struggles, inflammation, and even autoimmune diseases. If you’re feeling sluggish, bloated, moody, or dealing with skin issues—your gut could be the culprit.

Many of us think we’re taking care of our gut, but we’re making key mistakes, including:
🚫 Relying on quick fixes – Probiotics aren’t magic pills!
🚫 Ignoring stress & sleep – Gut health isn’t just about food.
🚫 Overloading on “gut superfoods” – Without fixing the basics first.
🚫 Not eating enough fibre – Prebiotics (from fibre) are your gut’s real best friend.
🚫 Giving up too soon – Gut healing takes time, not just a week of effort!

If you’re struggling with gut issues, should you consider microbiome testing? Lynsey breaks down different testing options, from leaky gut panels to food sensitivity tests, explaining when they’re worth the investment.

Lynsey shares real-world success stories from her clinic—proving that healing your gut can change everything.

🚨 If you’re tired of guessing and want real, science-backed strategies, this episode is for you!

🎧 Listen now and start taking your gut health seriously.

We trust our tap water without question—after all, it’s what we’ve always known. But should we? In this episode, we dive deep into the safety of Australia’s drinking water with Suzanne Dodds, Founder of Complete Home Filtration.

With alarming headlines about PFAS contamination, cancer risks, and outdated regulations, it’s time to ask: What’s really in our water? We break down the science, the risks, and how Australia’s water standards compare to the rest of the world.

More importantly, we explore what you can do—from filtration options to advocating for better transparency and regulation.

If you’ve never questioned what’s coming out of your tap, this conversation might just change that. Listen now and take control of your water quality!

In this episode, we’re honoured to have Dr. Louise Newson—a leading voice in menopause health—join us to explore the often-overlooked role of testosterone in women’s well-being. Dr. Newson shares her expert insights on:
✅ Why testosterone is essential for women’s health
✅ How testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) can restore energy, mood, and libido
✅ The safety and science behind using testosterone during menopause

Dr. Newson also shares real stories of women whose lives have been transformed by TRT, explaining how testosterone impacts the brain, heart, muscles, libido, and more. Plus, she answers common questions about side effects, safety, and how to get started with therapy.

If you’re struggling with low energy, brain fog, mood swings, or a loss of vitality, this episode is a must-listen. Testosterone could be the missing piece to reclaiming your joy and well-being.

Topics Covered:

https://theagingproject.com/fitgenes-webinar/  

Connect with Dr. Louise Newson:
🌐 Newson Health
📱 Instagram
🎥 YouTube
📲 Balance Menopause App

Looking for a GP Trained in Menopause?

Visit https://www.menopause.org.au/health-info/find-an-ams-member 

Final Thoughts:
Menopause doesn’t have to mean losing your zest for life. If you’ve been feeling flat, disconnected, or simply not yourself, testosterone replacement therapy might just be the key to reigniting your spark.

If this episode inspired you, please share it with a friend and help us spread the message of empowered, informed health choices.

Thanks for tuning in—stay well, stay curious, and we’ll see you next time! 💪💥