What if one tiny carbon molecule could help protect your cells from oxidative stress and support the mitochondria responsible for producing your energy? In this fascinating episode of The Art of Living Well Podcast®, we sit down with Ken Swartz, aka Ken the Scientist, co-founder of C60 Power, to explore Carbon 60 (C60)—a unique form of carbon that Ken first encountered while researching radiation protection in a fusion energy lab. Ken takes us inside the science of C60 and explains why this molecule has gained attention in the longevity and biohacking worlds for its potential role in antioxidant defense, mitochondrial health, cellular energy, inflammation and healthy aging. We break down oxidative stress in simple terms, why mitochondrial function becomes increasingly important as we age, and how C60 differs from familiar antioxidants such as CoQ10 and glutathione. Ken also shares what to look for when choosing a C60 product, including purity, third-party testing, sourcing and packaging. For our midlife listeners, we dig into an especially interesting question: Could supporting mitochondrial health influence the way we experience energy, brain fog and other changes associated with aging? In this episode, you'll learn:

• What Carbon 60 (C60) actually is—and its surprising connection to fusion-energy research
• How oxidative stress affects our cells, mitochondria and aging
• The relationship between mitochondrial function, cellular energy and aging
• Why brain fog, fatigue and inflammation may be associated with oxidative stress
• How C60 differs from CoQ10, glutathione and other antioxidants
• What Ken says about C60 and hormone production—and why women using HRT should discuss supplementation with their healthcare practitioner
• C60 oil vs. gummies and how the different delivery methods compare
• What to look for when choosing C60: purity, sourcing, third-party testing and packaging
• Ways to assess oxidative stress and mitochondrial function
• What the research does—and does not—tell us about C60 and longevity
• How topical C60 is being used in skincare
• Why no supplement replaces the foundations of nutrition, movement, sleep and stress management

TIMESTAMPS

00:00 – What is Carbon 60 (C60)? 03:45 – C60, mitochondria and oxidative stress 07:00 – Brain fog, fatigue and inflammation 11:00 – C60, hormones and midlife health 14:30 – How to use C60 and when to expect results 19:45 – How to choose a high-quality C60 product 21:30 – Safety, medications and who should use caution 23:30 – Testing oxidative stress and mitochondrial health 27:30 – C60 for skincare and healthy aging 29:30 – C60 vs. peptides 31:00 – How to get started with C60

Learn more + special listener offer C60 Power: https://shopc60.com Discount code: LIVINGWELL60 C60 research and education: https://www.whatisc60.org

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Feeling tired, inflamed, or stuck in a cycle of cravings? Join our 7-Day Fall Vitality Reboot starting September 27 and discover how much better you can feel with simple daily habits and a supportive community beside you every step of the way. Click here to save your spot: https://l.bttr.to/fNSbn

Not sure where to start, or want to talk it through first? Book a free discovery call with Marnie and Stephanie.

Subscribe to our Substack to get episode updates, wellness tips, and personal reflections from Marnie & Stephanie delivered straight to your inbox. Grab your free Midlife Travel Resilience Checklist here. If you love the show and want to support what we're building, consider a paid subscription for $30 annually. https://theartoflivingwell.substack.com/

Follow & Connect:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theartofliving_well/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@theartoflivingwellpodcast

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-art-of-living-well-podcast/

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@theartoflivingwel/

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4gym3jOPdSHwrpM1BmxyJz

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-art-of-living-well-podcast/id1482050468

Connect with Your Hosts:

Marnie Dachis Marmet: https://www.instagram.com/zenfullifecoaching

Stephanie May Potter: https://www.instagram.com/stephaniemaypotter/

Have you ever noticed how two women fifteen years apart can seem worlds apart in energy, while two women the same age can be aging in completely different directions?

In this episode of The Art of Living Well Podcast®, Marnie and Stephanie unpack what they call the midlife health dashboard: the metrics that actually predict how well you're aging, beyond the number on a biological age test. They share their own results from two different biological age tests, including a jarring 16-year gap between the two, and walk through what's actually within your control.

Biological age testing has exploded in popularity, with people online sharing scores and spending real money to find out if they're aging faster or slower than their birth certificate says. Marnie and Stephanie have both taken these tests themselves, and they break down what the scores actually mean, what they missed, and why the number matters far less than the daily habits behind it.

Whether you've taken a biological age test, are curious about one, or just want a practical way to think about aging well, this episode gives you a place to start today.

Key Takeaways:

•Biological age tests compare you to other people who took that same test, often a health-conscious group, not the general population

•Genetic testing can also reveal your MTHFR status and ApoE genotype, which may be more useful day to day than the biological age score itself

•Getting up off the floor without using your hands is one of the simplest predictors of long-term mobility

•Walking pace and small daily movement snacks measurably affect how well you age, not just how far you walk

•Deep sleep, not just total hours, is one of the most overlooked levers for energy and recovery in midlife

•Most women are still under-eating protein, and it shows up in blood work, energy, and cravings

•Chronic stress and time spent in fight-or-flight directly affects your biological age, not just how you feel day to day

•You don't need a lab test to start improving your health dashboard, an honest self-score across a few key areas is a good place to begin

Episode Breakdown with Timestamps:

00:00 Why Two Women 15 Years Apart Can Age So Differently 00:59 Welcome Back: Introducing the Midlife Health Dashboard 01:28 What Biological Age Actually Measures 01:55 Stephanie's Biological Age Test Results, Explained 04:34 Marnie's Two Test Results: One Said 54, One Said 38.6 07:37 The MTHFR Gene and Why Methylation Matters 08:49 Genes Aren't Destiny: A Quick Note on Epigenetics 09:30 Metric: Muscle and Functional Strength 10:21 The "Can You Get Off the Floor" Longevity Test 10:49 Book Rec: The New Fit With Aaron Leventhal (Episode 284) 11:32 Metric: Walking, Movement Snacks, and Pace 13:49 Metric: Sleep and the Midlife Wake-Up Spiral 15:26 Sleep Trackers Worth Trying: Aura Ring vs. Whoop 16:30 Chasing Deep Sleep: What Actually Moved the Needle 17:44 Metric: Stress, the Nervous System, and a PEMF Mat Experiment 19:52 Metric: Protein, and Why Most Women Are Under-Eating It 22:15 Does Everyone Need to Take a Biological Age Test? 23:02 Metric: Connection and Purpose 23:59 Metric: Getting Out of Fight-or-Flight 24:59 Build Your Own Health Dashboard: Score Yourself 25:08 How Old Do You Actually Feel? 28:16 What We'd Tell Our Kids Now 29:21 Share Your Biological Age Results With Us 29:45 Join the Fall Vitality Reboot, Starting September 27

Resources and Links: Episode 267, The New Fit with Aaron Leventhal Episode284 with Danny King (Lifetime) on VO2 max Episode 319 on Community and Longevity for Midlife Women Episode317 Design a life you love with the "big ass calendar" co-founder

Feeling tired, inflamed, or stuck in a cycle of cravings? Join our 7-Day Fall Vitality Reboot starting September 27 and discover how much better you can feel with simple daily habits and a supportive community beside you every step of the way. Click here to save your spot: https://l.bttr.to/fNSbn

Subscribe to our Substack to get episode updates, wellness tips, and personal reflections from Marnie & Stephanie delivered straight to your inbox. Grab your free Midlife Travel Resilience Checklist here. If you love the show and want to support what we're building, consider a paid subscription for $30 annually. https://theartoflivingwell.substack.com/

Follow & Connect: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theartofliving_well/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@theartoflivingwellpodcast LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-art-of-living-well-podcast/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@theartoflivingwel/ Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4gym3jOPdSHwrpM1BmxyJz Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-art-of-living-well-podcast/id1482050468

Connect with Your Hosts: Marnie Dachis Marmet: https://www.instagram.com/zenfullifecoaching Stephanie May Potter: https://www.instagram.com/stephaniemaypotter/

What if everything you've been told about menopause is incomplete?

Many women believe menopause automatically means weight gain, brain fog, fatigue, poor sleep, and feeling like the best years are behind them. But according to physician and hormone expert Dr. Miranda Naylor, menopause isn't the beginning of decline—it can become one of the greatest opportunities to reset your health.

In this episode, we explore the biggest myths surrounding perimenopause and menopause, the role genetics really play, how lifestyle impacts ovarian aging, and where hormone replacement therapy fits into a personalized longevity plan.

Whether you're approaching menopause, currently navigating it, or simply want to prepare for healthy aging, this conversation will leave you feeling informed, empowered, and hopeful.

In this episode you'll learn:

• Why menopause doesn't have to mean decline

• Why your mother's experience doesn't determine yours

• The difference between chronological age, biological age and ovarian age

• Lifestyle habits that can dramatically improve your menopausal transition

• When hormone replacement therapy may be appropriate

• Bioidentical hormones vs synthetic hormones

• The importance of estrogen, progesterone and testosterone

• How community, sleep and stress influence hormone health

• Why menopause can become a powerful opportunity for reinvention

Time Stamps

00:00 Welcome + Why Menopause Needs a New Narrative

02:05 The Biggest Myths About Menopause

04:45 The Unexpected Gifts of Midlife

08:30 Why Menopause Can Be Your Health Reset

10:50 Hormone Replacement Therapy: What Women Need to Know

15:15 Estrogen, Progesterone & Testosterone Explained

18:45 A Real-Life Patient Success Story

20:30 The Lifestyle Habits That Matter Most

25:05 Genetics vs. Lifestyle: Does Your Mom's Menopause Predict Yours?

27:30 Biological Age vs. Ovarian Age

31:30 HRT Myths, Breast Cancer & Safety

35:20 Dr. Miranda's RISE Method + Final Takeaways

37:10 Free Hormone Quiz + Closing Thoughts

Connect with Dr. Miranda Naylor

• Website

• Instagram

• Modern Women's Wellness Podcast

• Free Hormone Quiz

Connect with Us

Follow & Connect: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theartofliving_well/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@theartoflivingwellpodcast LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-art-of-living-well-podcast/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@theartoflivingwel/ Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4gym3jOPdSHwrpM1BmxyJz Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-art-of-living-well-podcast/id1482050468

Connect with your Hosts: https://www.theartoflivingwell.us/about-us

You don't have to live in the woods to get bit by a tick. It can happen in your backyard, on a walk, even pulling weeds in your own garden.

In this episode of The Art of Living Well Podcast®, Marnie and Stephanie sit down with Ali Moresco, a tick-borne disease survivor, healthcare publicist, and one of the most recognized Lyme disease advocates in the country. Ali spent two years searching for a diagnosis before learning she had Lyme disease along with several co-infections, and she's turned that experience into advocacy work that has helped shape federal tick-borne disease legislation as executive board chair of Project Lyme.

Ali walks through what those confusing early years of unexplained symptoms actually looked like, why standard Lyme testing misses far more cases than most people realize, and the practical prevention and removal steps worth knowing before your next walk outside. She also shares what her recovery has actually required over the better part of a decade, including where the treatment protocols and research are headed next.

Whether you spend your weekends on the trail, garden in your own backyard, or just want to know what to actually do if you find a tick on you, this conversation will change how you think about prevention.

Key Takeaways:

• Lyme disease is present in all 50 states, not just the East Coast

• Standard two-tier Lyme tests can be 64-78% inaccurate, especially in the early weeks after a bite

• Fewer than half of people infected with Lyme ever develop the classic bullseye rash

• Never burn, smother, or otherwise irritate an attached tick — use fine-tipped tweezers and pull straight up

• Save a removed tick in a bag or jar; some states and universities offer free tick testing

• Alpha-Gal syndrome is a tick-borne meat allergy that can also cause fatigue, brain fog, and gastro symptoms

• Symptoms from a tick bite can surface years later, often triggered by an unrelated stressful event or illness

• Recovery from chronic tick-borne illness is rarely linear and often requires a combination of treatments tailored to the individual person

Episode Breakdown with Timestamps:

00:00 Introduction & Meeting Ali Moresco

01:03 Does Ali Still Enjoy Being Outside After Everything She's Been Through

02:51 Life Before Lyme Disease Was Part of Her Vocabulary

07:23 The Timeline From Tick Bite to First Symptoms

08:53 The Two-Year Path to Diagnosis

10:39 Why Standard Lyme Testing Misses So Many Cases

13:40 What Her Lowest Point Actually Looked Like

17:28 The Biggest Misconceptions About Tick Bites

19:43 Beyond Lyme: Other Tick-Borne Conditions on the Rise

20:34 Understanding Alpha-Gal Syndrome

22:31 Babesiosis and Bartonella, Explained

23:24 How to Actually Prevent Tick Bites

26:36 Prophylactic Antibiotics After a Bite

27:49 The Right Way to Remove a Tick (and What Never to Do)

29:46 What to Do With a Tick After You Remove It

30:58 Can Symptoms Show Up Years After a Bite?

32:47 Reasons for Hope: New Research on the Horizon

35:55 Inside Project Lyme's Advocacy Work

37:48 What Treatment Actually Looks Like Long-Term

44:03 The Daily Habits That Help Ali Stay Well

45:34 Where to Find Ali and Her Work

46:28 "What Does the Art of Living Well Mean to You?"

Guest Links:

Instagram: instagram.com/alitmoresco Moresco PR: amorescopr.com/ali-moresco Project Lyme: projectlyme.org

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Feeling tired, inflamed, or stuck in a cycle of cravings? Join our 7-Day Fall Vitality Reboot starting September 27 and discover how much better you can feel with simple daily habits and a supportive community beside you every step of the way. Click here to save your spot: https://l.bttr.to/fNSbn ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Subscribe to our Substack to get episode updates, wellness tips, and personal reflections from Marnie & Stephanie delivered straight to your inbox. Grab your free Midlife Travel Resilience Checklist here. If you love the show and want to support what we're building, consider a paid subscription for $30 annually. https://theartoflivingwell.substack.com/

Follow & Connect: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theartofliving_well/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@theartoflivingwellpodcast LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-art-of-living-well-podcast/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@theartoflivingwel/ Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4gym3jOPdSHwrpM1BmxyJz Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-art-of-living-well-podcast/id1482050468

Connect with your Hosts: https://www.theartoflivingwell.us/about-us

When most people think about longevity, they immediately think about nutrition, exercise, sleep, supplements, or hormone health. But what if one of the biggest predictors of living a longer, healthier life has nothing to do with what's on your plate?

In this episode of The Art of Living Well Podcast®, we're diving into one of the most overlooked pillars of health: community and meaningful human connection.

Loneliness has quietly become a public health crisis, and research continues to show that meaningful relationships influence everything from mental health and stress resilience to inflammation, cognitive function, and longevity. Yet many of us—especially women in midlife—find ourselves unintentionally putting friendships and community on the back burner while juggling careers, parenting, caregiving, and endless responsibilities.

We share personal stories from our Minneapolis Hiking Collective, discuss why in-person connection matters so much, explore the difference between loneliness and isolation, and offer practical ways to build deeper relationships—even if you're an introvert or feel like you don't have the time.

In this episode, we discuss:

00:00 Why community may be one of the most overlooked pillars of longevity

02:05 The surprising statistics on loneliness and why they matter

04:10 Why we started the Minneapolis Hiking Collective

07:20 Building community through shared interests and activities

09:55 Making time for relationships in a busy season of life

11:55 Loneliness vs. isolation—and why they aren't the same thing

15:45 Finding your people and creating meaningful connections

17:40 Community after retirement and during the empty nest years

20:30 Volunteering, travel, and creating experiences that strengthen relationships

23:45 Lessons from the Blue Zones and cultures that prioritize community

25:15 Why experiences often matter more than gifts

27:00 How to build deeper friendships through simple one-on-one connection

29:00 Our challenge for you this week

Mentioned in today's episode

• Minneapolis Hiking Collective

• Blue Zones

• DIY Vitality Reboot

If you've been feeling sluggish, foggy, or just not like yourself lately, this is where we'd start. The Vitality Reboot is a 7-day functional medicine liver detox you can do anytime, at your own pace, with full support from us along the way. Women consistently tell us it's the thing that finally helps them feel like themselves again. Start here

Subscribe to our Substack to get episode updates, wellness tips, and personal reflections from Marnie & Stephanie delivered straight to your inbox. If you love the show and want to support what we're building, consider a paid subscription for $30 annually.

Follow & Connect: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theartofliving_well/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@theartoflivingwellpodcast LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-art-of-living-well-podcast/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@theartoflivingwel/ Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4gym3jOPdSHwrpM1BmxyJz Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-art-of-living-well-podcast/id1482050468

Connect with your Hosts: https://www.theartoflivingwell.us/about-us

What if your strongest, most adventurous years are still ahead of you — not behind you?

In this episode of The Art of Living Well Podcast®, Marnie and Stephanie sit down with Jen Segger, world-class endurance athlete, high-performance coach, and co-founder of the Rebuild Retreat, to explore what it really looks like to keep dreaming bigger in midlife. From her roots in adventure racing to coaching women through the physiology of perimenopause and beyond, Jen brings a grounded, practical perspective on what separates the women who achieve meaningful goals from those who stay stuck.

Jen's path started with a pivot away from competitive field hockey and a move to Whistler in her early twenties, where she began building a life around adventure racing — a sport that takes teams through remote terrain for up to ten days nonstop. Over two decades, she has raced across the world, guided expeditions in Colombia, co-created immersive retreats on Vancouver Island, and built a coaching practice around getting people to the finish line of whatever matters most to them.

Whether you're training for your first endurance event, trying to figure out how to work with your hormones instead of against them, or simply wondering what's still possible in this chapter of life, this conversation will help you move forward.

Key Takeaways:

• Starting small is not settling — it's the most sustainable path to a big goal

• The most consistent athletes aren't the most talented; they're the ones who protect their training time like an appointment with themselves

• Comparison is one of the biggest obstacles women face in perimenopause and goal-setting alike

• Your goal needs to be genuinely yours — not what your peers are doing or what looks good on paper

• Working with a coach isn't just about a training plan; it's about accountability, external perspective, and staying coachable

• Longevity matters more than peak performance — Jen herself is currently prioritizing addressing imbalances over racing

• Integrating your goals with your family life makes them more sustainable, not smaller

• Midlife is not a signal to scale back; it's an invitation to get clearer about what you actually want

Episode Breakdown with Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction & How Marnie and Stephanie Met Jen

01:32 Jen's Path From Field Hockey to Adventure Racing

03:51 What Adventure Racing Teaches You About Life

09:32 Staying Motivated After 25 Years as an Athlete

11:12 What to Say to Women Who Think Midlife Means Slowing Down

14:12 How to Set a Goal That's Actually Yours

16:39 Planning Your Year With Intention

23:24 Working With Your Hormones in Perimenopause

26:28 What Separates Women Who Achieve Goals From Those Who Get Stuck

30:57 Why Every Woman Needs a Coach

35:40 The Rebuild Retreat on Vancouver Island

39:53 The Colombia Trekking Expedition With Terra Venture

51:42 One Thing You Can Do This Week

53:01 What's Lighting Jen Up Right Now

56:30 "What Does the Art of Living Well Mean to You?"

Guest Links: Website: jensegger.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jensegger/ Terra Venture expeditions (Colombia): https://www.terra-venture.com/expeditions

If you've been feeling sluggish, foggy, or just not like yourself lately, this is where we'd start. The Vitality Reboot is a 7-day functional medicine liver detox you can do anytime, at your own pace, with full support from us along the way. Women consistently tell us it's the thing that finally helps them feel like themselves again. Start here

Subscribe to our Substack to get episode updates, wellness tips, and personal reflections from Marnie & Stephanie delivered straight to your inbox. If you love the show and want to support what we're building, consider a paid subscription for $30 annually.

Follow & Connect: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theartofliving_well/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@theartoflivingwellpodcast LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-art-of-living-well-podcast/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@theartoflivingwel/ Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4gym3jOPdSHwrpM1BmxyJz Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-art-of-living-well-podcast/id1482050468

Connect with your Hosts: https://www.theartoflivingwell.us/about-us

Are you living your life by design...or by default?

If you've ever found yourself saying, "I don't have enough time," feeling like the weeks fly by, or wondering where the year went, this episode is for you.

This week, we're joined by Taylor Prokes, co-founder of the Big A## Calendar Company, endurance athlete, entrepreneur, and advocate for intentional living. Taylor shares why your calendar is much more than a scheduling tool—it's one of the most powerful ways to create a life filled with purpose, joy, adventure, and meaningful experiences.

Together, we explore how planning ahead can help you stop simply reacting to life and start intentionally creating it. Whether you're navigating midlife, raising teenagers, becoming an empty nester, or simply craving more fulfillment, Taylor offers practical strategies to help you prioritize what matters most.

We also discuss why women in midlife may actually have more opportunities than ever before to pursue meaningful goals, embrace adventure, and inject more fun into everyday life.

In this episode, we discuss:

• Why your calendar shapes your life more than you realize
• How to stop saying "I don't have time"
• The power of planning adventures and experiences in advance
• Why midlife is the perfect time to prioritize yourself
• The concept of a Misogi—a year-defining challenge
• Why doing hard things builds confidence and resilience
• How to balance family, work, relationships, and personal goals
• The importance of creating seasons instead of chasing "perfect balance"
• How mini adventures can add more joy to everyday life
• Practical ways to become more intentional with your time

Episode Breakdown with Timestamps

In This Episode

01:15 How Taylor discovered intentional living

09:30 Stop reacting to life—start designing it

15:30 Why planning ahead creates more freedom

19:30 Rethinking work-life balance

27:00 What is a Misogi?

34:45 How the Big Ass Calendar works

42:00 Why women in midlife should prioritize fun

50:30 When life changes your plans

Whether your next adventure is running your first race, learning a new skill, taking a bucket-list trip, or simply scheduling more fun with friends and family, this conversation will inspire you to stop waiting and start living.

Connect with Taylor Prokes

Instagram: @TaylorProkes

Website: TheBigAssCalendar.com

Use this link and code LIVINGWELL for a discount off your calendar purchase.

Summer is the perfect time to press reset. Our 7-day Vitality Reboot gives you a clear, guided path to reducing inflammation and reclaiming your energy, with Marnie and Stephanie in your corner the whole way. You do the work, we provide the roadmap and the support. Join us at https://p.bttr.to/39XDmpQ

Follow and Connect

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theartofliving_well

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

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-art-of-living-well-podcast/?viewAsMember=true

Connect with Your Hosts

Marnie Dachis Marmet: https://www.instagram.com/zenfullifecoaching

Stephanie May Potter: https://www.instagram.com/stephaniemaypotter/

If you enjoyed this episode, we'd love for you to subscribe, leave a review, and share it with someone who needs a reminder that it's never too late to design a life they truly love.

When was the last time you heard someone say creatine was for women? Probably not often enough.

In this episode of The Art of Living Well Podcast®, Marnie and Stephanie break down one of the most researched supplements available and make the case for why midlife women should be paying attention. Creatine has long been associated with bodybuilders and gym culture, but the science tells a far more interesting story, especially for women navigating perimenopause, menopause, and the hormonal shifts that come with them.

This conversation covers the basics of how creatine works, why women naturally have lower stores than men, and what the emerging research says about its benefits for muscle, recovery, energy, and brain health. Marnie and Stephanie also share how they each take it daily, what brands they trust, and how to work through the bloating concern that keeps many women from sticking with it.

Supplements are never the whole picture. But this one may be worth a closer look.

Key Takeaways

• What creatine is and how it supports cellular energy production

• Why women have lower creatine stores than men

• How declining estrogen affects muscle mass and recovery

• The strength and lean muscle benefits of creatine in perimenopause and postmenopause

• Why brain fog and cognitive decline make creatine worth considering

• The truth about bloating and water retention

• The form, dose, and timing that Marnie and Stephanie each use

• What to look for on a label and brands they recommend

• Who should consult a doctor before starting

Episode Breakdown with Timestamps

00:00 Why creatine matters for women 01:30 What creatine is and how ATP works 03:30 Why women have lower creatine stores 05:00 Strength, muscle mass, and recovery 07:00 Addressing the bloating concern 08:30 Perimenopause and postmenopause research 10:00 Brain health and cognitive function 11:30 Benefits across all life stages 12:00 Myths and contraindications 13:30 Creatine monohydrate: dosing and timing 15:00 Brands and what to look for 18:00 Final takeaways

Resources and Links

Kion Creatine: Code: ARTOFLIVINGWELL

Brick House Nutrition Creatone Code: livingwell

Equi.Life Cell Force

Website: https://www.theartoflivingwell.us

Sponsors

This episode is brought to you by Good Health Saunas, offering commercial grade infrared saunas designed to support detoxification, muscle recovery, relaxation, and better sleep. Visit https://goodhealthsaunas.com or stop by their Mall of America, Appleton, or Waukesha locations. Be sure to mention The Art of Living Well Podcast® for exclusive pricing.

Summer is the perfect time to press reset. Our 7-day Vitality Reboot gives you a clear, guided path to reducing inflammation and reclaiming your energy, with Marnie and Stephanie in your corner the whole way. You do the work, we provide the roadmap and the support. Join us at https://p.bttr.to/39XDmpQ

Join Us This Summer — Mahjong Night!

If you are local to the Twin Cities, come spend a summer evening with us. We are hosting a fun night of mahjong, connection, and community on Wednesday, July 22nd from 6:30 to 8:30 PM. Expect good company, giveaways, and plenty of laughs around the table. Tickets are $20 to play. Location will be in Edina or Minnetonka depending on the weather, and the address will be shared upon registration. Please note this event is for experienced players only and space is limited. Grab your spot before it sells out at https://l.bttr.to/t9qKg

Follow and Connect

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theartofliving_well

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

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-art-of-living-well-podcast/?viewAsMember=true

Connect with Your Hosts

Marnie Dachis Marmet: https://www.instagram.com/zenfullifecoaching

Stephanie May Potter: https://www.instagram.com/stephaniemaypotter/

Are you constantly being told your labs are "normal" but still don't feel like yourself?

In this episode of The Art of Living Well Podcast®, we sit down with award-winning journalist and author Meghan Rabbitt to discuss the critical health information women were never taught—and why so many women are falling through the cracks of today's healthcare system.

We explore hormones, self-advocacy, sexual health, menopause, weight stigma, symptom tracking, and how women can become more informed and empowered when it comes to their health.

If you've ever felt dismissed by a healthcare provider, struggled with symptoms that don't seem to have answers, or wondered whether what you're experiencing is truly "normal," this conversation is for you.

Topics Covered

• Women's health myths
• Hormones and perimenopause
• How to advocate for yourself at the doctor's office
• Using AI and ChatGPT to prepare for appointments
• Sexual health and libido in midlife
• Weight stigma in healthcare
• The healthcare system's biggest blind spots for women
• Why symptom tracking matters
• The future of women's health

Timestamps:

01:00 Why women aren't taught enough about their bodies

07:45 The biggest gaps in women's healthcare

12:00 Becoming your own health advocate

22:30 Hormones, perimenopause, and symptom tracking

26:20 Nutrition, food noise, and eating for nourishment

33:30 Sexual health, libido, and menopause

39:30 Understanding desire in midlife

43:40 The future of women's health

47:00 What it means to truly live well

About Meghan Rabbitt

Meghan Rabbitt is an award-winning journalist, editor, and author of The New Rules of Women's Health: Your Guide to Thriving at Every Age. After more than 20 years covering women's health, she has interviewed hundreds of clinicians, researchers, and experts to help women better understand and advocate for their health.

Resources

Learn more: newrulesofwomenshealth.com

Follow Meghan: @meghanrabbitt

Sponsor

This episode is brought to you by Good Health Saunas, offering commercial grade infrared saunas designed to support detoxification, muscle recovery, relaxation, and better sleep. Visit https://goodhealthsaunas.com or stop by their Mall of America, Appleton, or Waukesha locations. Be sure to mention The Art of Living Well Podcast® for exclusive pricing.

Ready for a Reset, On Your Own Time?

If you've been feeling sluggish, bloated, inflamed, foggy, or just not like yourself, our Vitality Reboot Anytime is a simple way to give your body the reset it's been craving.

This is our do-it-yourself version of The Art of Living Well Podcast® community detox, designed so you can move through the program whenever it works best for you.

You'll receive everything you need to support your body with nourishing foods, targeted detox support, and simple daily practices that help you feel lighter, clearer, and more energized.

A fun summer night of mahjong, connection & community. Join The Art of Living Well Podcast® for a fun summer evening of mahjong, connection, community, and giveaways. Come enjoy the love of the game, meet other mahjong lovers, and spend a lighthearted night out playing, laughing, and connecting. Wednesday, July 22nd 6:30–8:30 PM $20 to play Location: Edina or Minnetonka, depending on weather Sign up here: https://l.bttr.to/t9qKg

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Do you feel exhausted but can't seem to wind down? That wired-but-tired feeling so many women experience in midlife has a name, and a cause most doctors never address.

In this episode of The Art of Living Well Podcast®, Marnie and Stephanie are joined by Dr. Scott Sherr, a board-certified internal medicine physician and expert in health optimization, to explore the connection between chronic stress, hormone changes, and mitochondrial dysfunction. Dr. Scott introduces the concept of the "sympathetic spiral of doom" — the cycle of stress, poor sleep, and cellular energy breakdown that keeps so many women stuck, and shares practical, science-backed ways to break it.

The conversation covers methylene blue (what it is, how it works, and who should use it), GABA and nervous system support, and hyperbaric oxygen therapy. Dr. Scott also explains why only 6% of US adults have optimally functioning mitochondria, and what the other 94% can do about it.

Key Takeaways:

• Chronic stress and hormone fluctuations directly impair mitochondrial function

• Estrogen is a critical mitochondrial optimizer, losing it in perimenopause has real cellular consequences

• Only 6% of US adults are metabolically healthy; symptoms of the rest range from brain fog to poor sleep to slow recovery

• Methylene blue supports mitochondrial energy production and works as a bridge while you optimize your health more broadly

• If a GABA supplement works for you, that's a warning sign worth paying attention to

• Down-regulating the nervous system too fast, without mitochondrial support, can cause a crash

• Hyperbaric oxygen therapy is most effective once you have a foundational health plan in place

• Sleep is one of the most powerful levers for mitochondrial health

00:00 – Introduction and Dr. Scott's background

04:13 – Why midlife women's bodies stop responding the way they used to

07:32 – Progesterone, GABA, and sleep disruption

09:04 – What mitochondria actually do and why they matter

13:16 – The 6% metabolic health statistic

17:00 – The sympathetic spiral of doom, explained

21:01 – Cortisol: misunderstood and mismanaged

29:32 – What methylene blue is and how to use it

33:55 – Who should not take methylene blue

38:33 – Performance, travel, and targeted use

47:17 – GABA support and down-regulating the nervous system

55:18 – Hyperbaric oxygen therapy: benefits, timing, and protocols

01:00:52 – One action to take today

01:03:09 – Where to find Dr. Scott and his products

Guest Links: Dr. Scott Sherr: drscottsherr.com Troscriptions: troscriptions.com Use code LIVINGWELL for 10% off

Products mentioned: Just Blue, Blue Cannatine, Tro Calm, Tro Zzz

This episode is brought to you by Good Health Saunas. Visit goodhealthsaunas.com and mention The Art of Living Well Podcast® for exclusive pricing.

Ready for a Reset, On Your Own Time?

If you've been feeling sluggish, bloated, inflamed, foggy, or just not like yourself, our Vitality Reboot Anytime is a simple way to give your body the reset it's been craving.

This is our do-it-yourself version of The Art of Living Well Podcast® community detox, designed so you can move through the program whenever it works best for you.

You'll receive everything you need to support your body with nourishing foods, targeted detox support, and simple daily practices that help you feel lighter, clearer, and more energized.

Subscribe to our Substack for wellness tips, episode updates, and your free Midlife Travel Resilience Checklist: theartoflivingwell.substack.com

Follow us: Instagram: @theartofliving_well YouTube: @theartoflivingwellpodcast LinkedIn: The Art of Living Well Podcast TikTok: @theartoflivingwel Spotify and Apple Podcasts

Connect with your hosts: theartoflivingwell.us/about-us