The Better Beyond 40 Formula with Dr. Mary Pines

Our guest lisa has been dieting since she was 12. At 58, months of a strict slow-carb plan got her seven pounds, deep exhaustion and a world that kept getting smaller. In this honest conversation, she shares what changed when she stopped trying to eat less and started working with her midlife physiology.

In this episode:

• Why the scale stayed put while lisa's body got smaller, and what body recomposition actually looks like
• How years of "eat less, eat less" kept her stuck in cycles of restricting and bingeing
• The 10am crash: what running out of energy by mid-morning was really telling her
• How hormones, targeted supplements and peptides rebuilt her sleep and energy, step by step
• The piece that surprised her most: mindfulness, cortisol and how all the pieces work together
• What eating without constant food noise feels like (one cookie, not 26)
• How she went from 20-minute treadmill trudges to a 45-minute progression run at 59
• Her advice for the woman who has tried everything and feels like nothing works

Links & Resources:

Better Beyond 40 Formula — Dr. Mary's signature BB40 program helps peri/menopausal women THRIVE 

👉 Watch the FREE MasterClass that explains her BB40 approach 

Join the FREE BB40 Community on Skool

Newsletter — weekly guidance from Dr. Mary

Instagram @drmarypines

Full show notes, citations, and transcript: drmarypines.com/podcast

Mentioned in this episode:

Tim Ferriss's slow-carb diet

Spoon theory

Peloton strength, Tread and bootcamp classes

Hormone therapy (HRT)

Peptides

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This content is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice. Please work with a qualified provider before starting any new health protocol. This content does not establish a patient-provider relationship with Dr. Mary Pines.

You've heard peptides can help with recovery. But when it's your tendon, your surgical scar, or an old injury that never fully healed, the question isn't whether peptides work — it's which one, and why. This is the episode where physiotherapist Mina Kavia and Dr. Mary Pines map the exact peptides your body needs for tendons, ligaments, scarring, and even concussion recovery.

In this episode:

• Peptides for healthy aging, recovery, joint health, and resilience
• How BPC-157 and TB-500 actually help heal tendons, ligaments, muscle and fascia, and prevent nasty scarring
• The peptide KPV to manage inflammation
• How GHK supports connective tissues, like joints and ligaments
• Why Thymosin alpha-1 is used in many countries for immune support (cancer, autoimmunity, infections, etc) and is actually a critically important drug (Zadaxin) with lots of research behind it
• How CJC-1295 and Ipamorelin can support muscle and healing
• What "bioregulator" peptides are and how they can support organ systems
• The critical difference between medications and peptides
• When to avoid using peptides, and why sourcing is so tricky right now
• How peptides fit into Dr. Mary Pines' clinical approach to healing tissue injury

Links & Resources

Better Beyond 40 Formula — Dr. Mary's signature BB40 program helps peri/menopausal women THRIVE 

👉 Watch the FREE MasterClass that explains her BB40 approach 

Join the FREE BB40 Community on Skool

Newsletter — weekly guidance from Dr. Mary

Instagram @drmarypines

Full show notes, citations, and transcript: drmarypines.com/podcast

Nerve Coach Mina — Mina Kavia's clinic and coaching programs for chronic nerve pain

Peptides mentioned:

 BPC-157

 TB-500

 KPV

 GHK-Cu

 Thymosin Alpha-1 / Zadaxin

 Thymosin Beta-4

 CJC-1295

 Ipamorelin

 Sermorelin

 Epitalon

 GLP-1 agonists

Also mentioned: Ben Greenfield, Dave Asprey

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This content is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice. Please work with a qualified provider before starting any new health protocol. This content does not establish a patient-provider relationship with Dr. Mary Pines.

Cecily Milne, founder of Yoga Detour, spent a decade completely devoted to yoga, but ended up in so much pain she couldn't make her bed. She rebuilt herself from the ground up by diving deep into the study of functional movement. This conversation will change how you think about pain, posture, strength, and what it means to move well in midlife.

Don't miss Cecily's FREE 10-class bundle for our listeners! 30 days of access, curated specifically for women over 40. Use code BEYOND40

In this episode:

• What pain and tightness in the body often mean and what to do about them
• “Structural balance:” what happens when parts of your body go offline and others have to pick up the slack
• Why arbitrary movement “rules” we’re taught (like "don't let your knees go past your toes") can foster weakness in your body, not safety
• The case against high-intensity cardio for midlife women and what to do instead
• Why strength training is non-negotiable IF it's programmed with intention, not done at random
• The posture myth: why perfect posture isn't a position you hold — it's the strength you build so you don't have to think about it
• How somatic movement and nervous system regulation are the missing piece in most women's fitness routine.

Our Guest:

Cecily Milne — Yoga Detour founder followthedetour.com

Instagram: @yogadetour 

Links & Resources

Better Beyond 40 Formula — Mary's signature program for peri/menopausal women (35–65)

👉 Watch the FREE MasterClass

Join the FREE Community on Skool

Newsletter — weekly guidance from Dr. Mary

Instagram @drmarypines

Full show notes, citations, and transcript: drmarypines.com/podcast

Mentioned in this episode:

Functional Range Conditioning 

Soma Training 

ELDOA System 

This content is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice. Please work with a qualified provider before starting any new health protocol. This content does not establish a patient-provider relationship with Dr. Mary Pines.

You've done the research. You know peptides exist. But now the real questions start: where do you actually get them, are they safe, and how do you know if they're even right for you? This is the episode no one in the peptide space wants to make — the regulatory reality, the sourcing minefield, and a clear framework for deciding whether peptides belong in your toolkit at all.

In this episode:

• You'll hear three real-world midlife scenarios — muscle loss despite lifting, post-COVID inflammation that won't resolve, and brain health concerns — and which peptides might fit each one
• You'll understand why sourcing is the most dangerous part of the peptide conversation, and what "certificate of analysis" actually means (and doesn't mean)
• You'll learn why the FDA crackdown on peptide compounding happened — and what the April 2026 reclassification actually changes
• You'll get a clear explanation of why your doctor probably can't talk to you about peptides — and what that means for your access
• You'll walk away with three questions to ask yourself before you consider any peptide protocol
• You'll get Mary's shortlist of the most credible experts in the peptide space to learn from — no “bro science” here!
• You'll hear the fascinating Cold War origin story of peptides
   

Links & Resources

Better Beyond 40 Formula — Dr. Mary's signature BB40 program helps peri/menopausal women THRIVE 

👉 Watch the FREE MasterClass that explains her BB40 approach 

Join the FREE BB40 Community on Skool

Newsletter — weekly guidance from Dr. Mary

Instagram @drmarypines

Full show notes, citations, and transcript: drmarypines.com/podcast

Peptides mentioned: 

CJC-1295

Ipamorelin

BPC-157

Thymosin Alpha-1

Thymosin Beta-4 / TB-500

Selank

Semax

GLP-1 agonists

Epitalon

Experts mentioned: Dr. Elizabeth Yurth (Boulder Longevity Institute), Dr. William Seeds (SSRP Institute), Dr. Kent Holtorf (Integrative Peptides)

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This content is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice. Please work with a qualified provider before starting any new health protocol. This content does not establish a patient-provider relationship with Dr. Mary Pines.

If you're already on HRT, lifting, eating protein, and sleeping — and still not getting the results you expect — this episode is your next layer. Part 2 of our three-part peptide series, Dr. Mary Pines walks through her six favorite peptides: what they do, who they're for, and how she actually uses them with clients.

In this episode:

• BPC-157: the gut and injury repair all-star — and why it's banned in professional sports
• TB-500: the antifibrotic partner that helps tissues heal without messy scar tissue
• Thymosin alpha-1: the immune peptide that helps your defense system act younger
• CJC-1295 + ipamorelin: the growth hormone duo that supports deep sleep, muscle, and bone without the bodybuilder risks
• GLP-1s (Ozempic, Mounjaro, and beyond): what the media got wrong, why microdosing changes everything, and what's coming in 2026
• Selank + Semax: the brain peptides for anxiety, fog, and post-viral recovery
• GHK-Cu: the copper peptide that reprograms 4,000 aging-related genes — and actually works topically

Part 3 next week: sourcing, safety, and a framework for whether peptides belong in your life.

Links & Resources

Better Beyond 40 Formula — Mary's signature program for peri/menopausal women (35–65)

👉 Watch the FREE MasterClass

Join the FREE Community on Skool

Newsletter — weekly guidance from Dr. Mary

Instagram @drmarypines

Full show notes, citations, and transcript: drmarypines.com/podcast

Peptides covered in this episode:

BPC-157

TB-500 / Thymosin beta-4 fragment 17-23

Thymosin alpha-1

CJC-1295 + ipamorelin

Semaglutide (Ozempic / Wegovy)

Tirzepatide (Mounjaro / Zepbound)

Retatrutide

Selank

Semax

GHK-Cu / "The Copper Peptide"

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This content is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice. Please work with a qualified provider before starting any new health protocol. This content does not establish a patient-provider relationship with Dr. Mary Pines.

If you're doing everything right — the protein, the lifting, the sleep — and still feel inflamed, foggy, or stuck, this episode is for you. Dr. Mary Pines breaks down what peptides actually are, how they signal your body differently from hormones, and why midlife women who are already on HRT are now looking at peptides as the missing layer. Part 1 of a three-part series. No hype, no shortcuts — just the mechanism and a clear framework for where peptides fit (and where they don't).

00:00:00 – Three-part series intro & why peptides deserve the space.
00:01:14 – Who this is for: doing everything right and still stuck.
00:04:47 – What peptides actually are — and why small protein misses it.
00:10:22 – Peptides vs. hormones: loudspeaker vs. precise text message.
00:13:39 – Why big pharma modified natural peptides to patent them.
00:16:42 – How fast they work and how long a course runs.
00:19:43 – Lifestyle, hormones, peptides — why the order matters.
00:22:29 – Injections, cycles, healing reactions — what to expect.
00:26:58 – Preview: BPC-157, GLP-1s, copper & brain peptides.

Links & Resources

About Dr. Mary, Blog, Shop & more at drmarypines.com

Her signature Better Beyond 40 Formula is designed to help peri/menopausal women (35-65) rebalance their bodies, overcome hormonal symptoms & lose weight using natural, science-based approaches they won't hear about in most doctor's offices or online.

 👉Watch the FREE MasterClass to learn more & see if it might be a fit for you.

Join the FREE Community

Instagram @drmarypines

Explore Mary’s creative side and view her artwork at MaryPines-Art.com.

You can watch each episode on YouTube. 

Transcripts of all episodes can be found here. 

Peptides Mentioned in this Episode:

BPC-157
TB-500 / Thymosin beta-4 fragment 17-23
Thymosin alpha-1
GLP-1 class (semaglutide, tirzepatide, retatrutide)
GHK-Cu / "The Copper Peptide"
Selank + Semax

Connect with Me:

Website: https://drmarypines.com

Newsletter: https://www.drmarypines.com/newsletter

FB: https://www.facebook.com/drmarypines

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

Linkedin: linkedin.com/in/dr-mary-pines-phd

Shop: https://drmarypines.com/shop

Blog: https://drmarypines.com/blog

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Disclaimer: This content is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice. It does not replace the guidance of a licensed healthcare provider and should not be used to diagnose, treat, or inform medication decisions. Consult a qualified professional before starting any new health protocol. This content does not establish a patient-provider relationship with Dr. Mary Pines.

If you've ever been told that hormone replacement therapy is dangerous, or if you've just quietly accepted leaks, dryness, or painful sex as inevitable parts of midlife — this episode is for you.

Dr. Mary Pines sits down with pelvic floor physiotherapist Lindsay Geddes to cut through decades of fear-based misinformation around HRT. They cover why hormones aren't just for reproduction, how the notorious 2002 Women's Health Initiative study was flawed (and later retracted), and why bioidentical hormones are a game-changer.

Dr. Mary also breaks down exactly what vaginal estrogen does — from rebuilding tissue thickness and improving lubrication, to supporting the vaginal microbiome, reducing UTIs, and even improving clitoral sensation. Plus, Lindsay shares her clinical tips on how to actually apply it for maximum benefit.

Armed with this episode, you'll know exactly what to say to your doctor.

In This Episode:

•       Why the 2002 Women's Health Initiative study created decades of fear around HRT — and why that fear is now officially outdated

•       What vaginal estrogen actually does: rebuilding tissue, improving lubrication, supporting the vaginal microbiome, reducing UTIs, and restoring sensation

•       How to have an informed, confident conversation with your doctor about bioidentical hormones and vaginal estrogen

Links & Resources

Learn more about Dr. Mary’s work at DrMaryPines.com and her signature Better Beyond 40 Formula program.

Join my FREE Skool Community

Follow her on Instagram at @drmarypines for day-to-day inspiration, wellness insights, and a behind-the-scenes look at her life and practice.

You can watch each episode on YouTube. 

Watch my FREE MasterClass designed to help women 35-65 understand how to rebalance their bodies, overcome hormonal symptoms & lose weight using natural, science-based approaches they won't hear about in most doctor's offices or online.

Transcripts of all episodes can be found here. 

Connect with Me:

Website: https://drmarypines.com

Newsletter: https://www.drmarypines.com/newsletter

Linkedin: linkedin.com/in/dr-mary-pines-phd

Shop: https://drmarypines.com/shop

Blog: https://drmarypines.com/blog

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Disclaimer: The content shared on this channel is for educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Nothing here is intended to replace the guidance of your physician, licensed healthcare provider, or any information accompanying a product you've been prescribed or recommended. Do not rely on this content to diagnose or treat a health condition, or to make decisions about medication or other therapies.

You're eating well, moving your body, trying to sleep — and yet the weight is creeping up, your moods are unpredictable, and your brain feels like it's running on dial-up. Sound familiar? This isn't a willpower problem. It's a hormone problem, and there's a big difference.

Dr. Mary walks you through the three stages of perimenopause — from the earliest signs (hello, ramped-up PMS and mysterious weight gain) to the chaotic middle years of skipped cycles and 3am wake-ups, all the way to the "almost there" phase just before menopause. You'll learn why progesterone, testosterone, DHEA, and even your thyroid all play a role in how you feel — and why the advice you've been given probably wasn't designed with your midlife body in mind.

By the end of this episode, you'll have a clearer map of where you are, what's driving your symptoms, and what to watch for as things continue to shift. This transition is real, it's significant, and it is absolutely navigable — when you know what you're actually dealing with.

In This Episode:

• The three stages of perimenopause — from early signs like ramped-up PMS and mysterious weight gain, through the chaotic middle years, to the phase just before menopause
• Why progesterone, testosterone, DHEA, and thyroid all shift during this transition — and how each affects how you feel
• How to identify which stage you're in and what to watch for as your hormones continue to change

Links & Resources

Learn more about Dr. Mary’s work at DrMaryPines.com and her signature Better Beyond 40 Formula program.

Join my FREE Skool Community

Follow her on Instagram at @drmarypines for day-to-day inspiration, wellness insights, and a behind-the-scenes look at her life and practice.

You can watch each episode on YouTube. 

Watch my FREE MasterClass designed to help women 35-65 understand how to rebalance their bodies, overcome hormonal symptoms & lose weight using natural, science-based approaches they won't hear about in most doctor's offices or online.

Transcripts of all episodes can be found here. 

Connect with Me:

Website: https://drmarypines.com

Newsletter: https://www.drmarypines.com/newsletter

Linkedin: linkedin.com/in/dr-mary-pines-phd

Shop: https://drmarypines.com/shop

Blog: https://drmarypines.com/blog

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Disclaimer: The content shared on this channel is for educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Nothing here is intended to replace the guidance of your physician, licensed healthcare provider, or any information accompanying a product you've been prescribed or recommended. Do not rely on this content to diagnose or treat a health condition, or to make decisions about medication or other therapies.

Bladder leaks, urgency, painful sex, and nighttime bathroom trips affect millions of women — yet many feel too embarrassed to talk about them, even with their doctors.

In this episode, Dr. Mary sits down with pelvic floor physiotherapist Lindsay Geddes to unpack what the pelvic floor actually is, how hormonal shifts in perimenopause and menopause affect pelvic tissues, and why symptoms like bladder leaks and discomfort during sex often appear in midlife. Lindsay also breaks down one of the biggest myths in women's health — that Kegels are the answer for everyone — and explains why they can sometimes make symptoms worse.

They explore how injuries, posture, muscle imbalance, and nervous system patterns all influence pelvic floor function, and share simple breathing and movement strategies women can start using today to support pelvic health and regain bladder confidence.

In This Episode:

• What the pelvic floor actually does — and why hormonal shifts in perimenopause directly affect bladder and pelvic tissue

• Why Kegels aren't the answer for everyone (and can sometimes make symptoms worse)

•  How posture, breathing, and nervous system patterns influence pelvic floor function — and simple strategies to start restoring bladder confidence today

Links & Resources

Learn more about Dr. Mary’s work at DrMaryPines.com and her signature Better Beyond 40 Formula program.

Join my FREE Skool Community

Follow her on Instagram at @drmarypines for day-to-day inspiration, wellness insights, and a behind-the-scenes look at her life and practice.

You can watch each episode on YouTube. 

Watch my FREE MasterClass designed to help women 35-65 understand how to rebalance their bodies, overcome hormonal symptoms & lose weight using natural, science-based approaches they won't hear about in most doctor's offices or online.

Transcripts of all episodes can be found here. 

Where to Find Lindsay Geddes

• Follow her on Instagram at @lindsaygeddespt
• Join her Free Facebook Community: Women’s Natural Bladder Support: Leaks, Incontinence, OAB, Urge, Frequency
• And check out her Free Masterclass: The Bladder Confidence Solution

Connect with Me:

Newsletter: https://www.drmarypines.com/newsletter

Linkedin: linkedin.com/in/dr-mary-pines-phd

Disclaimer: The content shared on this channel is for educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Nothing here is intended to replace the guidance of your physician, licensed healthcare provider, or any information accompanying a product you've been prescribed or recommended. Do not rely on this content to diagnose or treat a health condition, or to make decisions about medication or other therapies.

Dr. Mary sits down with Functional Medicine-certified Nutritionist & Health Coach, Danna Levy Hoffman, to unpack gut health, food freedom, and why dieting keeps failing women over 40.

From bloating and migraines to emotional eating and weight struggles, they explore how so many symptoms start in the gut — and why the real path forward isn't restriction. Danna has studied nutrition, psychology, and functional medicine for decades, she's super real, fun to listen to, and offers us practical tips that WORK for midlife women.

In This Episode:

• How gut health connects to bloating, migraines, emotional eating, and weight struggles in midlife women

• Why dieting keeps failing women over 40 — and what functional medicine says to do instead

• Why protein, not restriction, may be the most important nutritional shift for women in perimenopause and menopause

Links & Resources

Learn more about Dr. Mary’s work at DrMaryPines.com and her signature Better Beyond 40 Formula program.

Join my FREE Skool Community

Follow her on Instagram at @drmarypines for day-to-day inspiration, wellness insights, and a behind-the-scenes look at her life and practice.

You can watch each episode on YouTube. 

Watch my FREE MasterClass designed to help women 35-65 understand how to rebalance their bodies, overcome hormonal symptoms & lose weight using natural, science-based approaches they won't hear about in most doctor's offices or online.

Where to find Danna Levy Hoffman

• Website: Organilicious.ch
• Podcast: So Frickin’ Healthy
• Podcast: Becoming a Health Coach (with Megan McCrory)

Mentions in this Episode

• Mel Robbins’ book, The “5 Second Rule”
• LMNT (Element) electrolytes

Transcripts of all episodes can be found here. 

Connect with Me:

Website: https://drmarypines.com

Newsletter: https://www.drmarypines.com/newsletter

Shop: https://drmarypines.com/shop

Blog: https://drmarypines.com/blog

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Disclaimer: The content shared on this channel is for educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Nothing here is intended to replace the guidance of your physician, licensed healthcare provider, or any information accompanying a product you've been prescribed or recommended. Do not rely on this content to diagnose or treat a health condition, or to make decisions about medication or other therapies.