Today's conversation is one I believe every woman deserves to hear - regardless of age, stage, or current health status.

I sat down with Meghan Rabbitt, an award-winning health journalist and the author of The New Rules for Women's Health, to talk about something many of us feel but rarely name clearly: modern medicine was not designed with women in mind - especially across midlife.

This isn't about blame. And it isn't about distrust of doctors. It's about understanding the system we are navigating, and learning how to advocate for ourselves within it.

Meghan brings a rare perspective to this conversation. She has spent years interviewing hundreds of clinicians and researchers across women's health, brain health, heart disease, menopause, autoimmune conditions, and longevity. What she uncovered is both sobering and empowering: women have been left out of research, diagnostics, and treatment models for decades, but knowledge changes outcomes.

In this episode, we talk about why women must become active participants in their own healthcare, not passive recipients. We explore what it means to be the "CEO of your health" - tracking symptoms, preparing for appointments, understanding your body, and engaging in true shared decision-making with your clinicians.

We also walk through the body systems where these gaps show up most clearly:

- Why women represent the majority of Alzheimer's cases—and what midlife has to do with brain health

- Why heart disease remains the leading cause of death in women, yet awareness is declining

- How menopause is a neurological transition, not just a hormonal one

- Why autoimmune disease disproportionately affects women—and why answers are still lagging

- How gut health, bone health, hormones, and the brain are deeply interconnected

Perhaps most importantly, we talk about midlife not as a period of decline, but as a window of opportunity. The choices we make in our 40s and 50s - how we train, eat, sleep, manage stress, and engage with our doctors - have profound implications for how we age.

This conversation is also about compassion. About pain being dismissed. About women apologizing for symptoms. About loneliness in midlife, and how simply being listened to can be transformative.

Meghan shares how writing this book changed her own health: from strength training and prioritizing protein and fiber, to rethinking alcohol, to having more informed conversations about hormone therapy. Not perfection - just intention.

If you've ever felt unheard in a medical setting, unsure whether something was "normal," or overwhelmed by conflicting advice, this episode is for you.

This is not about doing everything. It's about knowing enough to ask better questions.

And that changes everything.

Timestamp: Intro (00:00:00) How One Question Changed Everything (00:01:28) The Problem No One Likes to Admit (00:03:58) What Happens When Women Stop Waiting for Permission (00:09:30) The Rules Women Are Expected to Follow (But Shouldn't) (00:18:37) The Real Reason Change Is So Hard (00:24:44) Habits That Changes More Than Your Body (00:29:53) The Risk Women Rarely Worry About But Should (00:32:08) What Your Body Is Trying to Tell You (00:39:42) When the Body Turns Against Itself (00:42:49) Why Information Changes Everything (00:45:40) The Moment Everything Became Personal (00:50:40)

🦴 Unbreakable Bone Health

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📖 Unbreakable: A Woman's Guide to Aging with Power

Dr. Vonda Wright's newest book, Unbreakable, is a bold guide for women ready to redefine what aging looks and feels like. Blending cutting‑edge science with real‑world strategies, it helps you build strength, resilience, and momentum through every decade of life. Discover how to turn aging into your greatest advantage and live with power, purpose, and vitality.

👉 Learn more or get your copy: https://theunbreakablebook.com

About Dr. Vonda Wright:

I'm Vonda Wright, an orthopedic sports surgeon and women's healthy‑aging expert. For 20 years I've helped athletes and everyday women protect their joints, build muscle, and extend their health span. Here you'll get science-backed strategies to age with power, so you can keep doing what you love for decades to come. Connect with Dr. Vonda Wright:

📷 Instagram: /drvondawright

📹 Subscribe: /@vondawright

🐦 Twitter: /DrVondaWright

📱 TikTok: /drvondawright💼 LinkedIn: Vonda Wright MD🌐 Website: http://www.drvondawright.com/

In this episode of Hot For Your Health, Dr. Vonda Wright sits down with Dr. Mariza Snyder, a functional practitioner and bestselling author known for translating complex hormone science into actionable, empowering care for women. Together, they explore what's actually happening in a woman's body during perimenopause and midlife—and why so many symptoms are misunderstood, dismissed, or normalized when they shouldn't be.

Dr. Snyder breaks down the hormone–brain–metabolism connection, explaining how blood sugar dysregulation, chronic stress, and neuroinflammation contribute to fatigue, brain fog, mood changes, migraines, and stubborn weight gain. The conversation reframes hormone health as a systems issue—not just estrogen levels—and highlights the role of daily habits, nervous system regulation, nutrition, movement, and circadian rhythms in restoring balance. They also discuss why women need better education, better data, and better advocacy during this transition.

This episode offers a grounded, science-backed roadmap for understanding midlife hormones—not as a decline, but as a powerful opportunity to recalibrate, reclaim energy, and build long-term resilience and health.

•••

Connect with Dr. Mariza Snyder:

Website: https://drmariza.com/

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

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

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/drmarizasnyder

•••

Make sure to follow Dr. Vonda Wright:

Instagram: @drvondawright

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@vondawright

Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@drvondawright

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vonda-wright-md-ms-2803374

Website: http://www.DrVondaWright.com

Dr Vonda's Unbreakable Bone Health provides bone density and quality support by using ingredients that have over 30 years of clinical research, patented and are directly linked to increasing bone strength, bone density, and improving the health and integrity of the bone.

Unbreakable: https://shop.drvondawright.com/

•••

If you enjoyed this episode, Subscribe to "HOT For Your Health" for more inspiring episodes.

Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/hot-for-your-health/id1055206993

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1Q2Al27D79jCLAyzp4hKBv?si=b62b374994884eed

We'd love to hear your thoughts on this episode! Share your comments or join the discussion on social media using #HotForYourHealthPodcast.

In this episode of Hot For Your Health, Dr. Vonda Wright sits down with her friend and colleague Dr. Juliana Hauser, a licensed couples and family therapist, renowned sex educator, and author of A New Position on Sex. Together, they reframe sexuality as a vital component of whole-person health, longevity, and self-development—not just a set of sex acts.

Dr. Hauser introduces her holistic framework for understanding sexuality, including the importance of agency, connection, and self-trust, and explains why sexual health deserves the same attention as other medical "vital signs." The conversation dives into how culture, aging, hormones, and lack of education shape our relationship with desire and pleasure, especially in midlife and menopause. With compassion and clarity, they explore how learning to identify your personal "yums and yucks" can transform not only intimate relationships, but your relationship with yourself.

This episode is an invitation to rethink sexuality as a lifelong pathway to authenticity, connection, and well-being.

•••

Connect with Dr. Juliana Hauser:

Website: https://dr-juliana.com/

Instagram: @drjulianahauser

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

•••

Make sure to follow Dr. Vonda Wright:

Instagram: @drvondawright

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@vondawright

Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@drvondawright

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vonda-wright-md-ms-2803374

Website: http://www.DrVondaWright.com

Dr Vonda's Unbreakable Bone Health provides bone density and quality support by using ingredients that have over 30 years of clinical research, patented and are directly linked to increasing bone strength, bone density, and improving the health and integrity of the bone.

Unbreakable: https://shop.drvondawright.com/

•••

If you enjoyed this episode, Subscribe to "HOT For Your Health" for more inspiring episodes.

Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/hot-for-your-health/id1055206993

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1Q2Al27D79jCLAyzp4hKBv?si=b62b374994884eed

We'd love to hear your thoughts on this episode! Share your comments or join the discussion on social media using #HotForYourHealthPodcast.

In this episode of Hot for Your Health, Dr. Vonda Wright is joined by Dr. Corinne Menn and Dr. Kudzai Dombo, board-certified physicians and menopause specialists in active clinical practice with Alloy Health. Together, they unpack what women are not being told about perimenopause and menopause—and why so many women are dismissed, misdiagnosed, or told to "wait it out" during one of the most biologically disruptive decades of their lives. Drs. Menn and Dombo explain the science behind hormonal fluctuations in perimenopause, clarifying why symptoms can be debilitating long before a woman officially reaches menopause. The conversation dives into precision medicine in hormone therapy, including when progesterone alone may be appropriate, how low-dose estrogen can act as a stabilizing "buffer," and why one-size-fits-all protocols fail women. The episode also addresses some of the most persistent myths in women's health—from fears around hormone therapy and breast cancer to misunderstandings about bone, brain, and cardiovascular protection. Dr. Wright and her guests emphasize the critical role of lifestyle factors like strength training, nutrition, and sleep, while making it clear that hormones are tools—not magic bullets—in a comprehensive longevity strategy. The discussion concludes with an inside look at how Alloy Health is expanding access to menopause care through asynchronous medicine, education, and community—offering women real-time support, evidence-based guidance, and the power to make informed choices about their health. Connect with Dr. Corinne Menn, Alloy Health Director of Clinical Innovation and Education, Prescribing Physician: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drmennobgyn/ Connect with Dr. Kudzai Dombo, Alloy Health Director of Advocacy and Outreach, Prescribing Physician: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dr.kudzai/ More about Alloy Health: https://www.myalloy.com/ Get Started with Alloy Health ••• Make sure to follow Dr. Vonda Wright: Instagram: @drvondawright Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@vondawright Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@drvondawright LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vonda-wright-md-ms-2803374 Website: http://www.DrVondaWright.com ••• If you enjoyed this episode, Subscribe to "HOT For Your Health" for more inspiring episodes. Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/hot-for-your-health/id1055206993 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1Q2Al27D79jCLAyzp4hKBv?si=b62b374994884eed We'd love to hear your thoughts on this episode! Share your comments or join the discussion on social media using #HotForYourHealthPodcast.

In this episode, Dr. Vonda Wright sits down with triple board-certified obesity medicine specialist Dr. Rocío Salas-Whalen, author of Weightless, to unpack the emotional and metabolic weight so many women carry for decades. Dr. Rocío shares what she sees every day in her Manhattan practice—patients arriving exhausted, ashamed, and feeling like this is their "last stop"—and explains why weight is never just a number on the scale, but a story of muscle, visceral fat, metabolic health, and self-worth. Together, they dive into Dr. Dr. Rocío's powerful GPS method—GLP-1s, Protein, and Strength training—to protect muscle, recompose the body, quiet "food noise," and finally break free from shame-driven dieting. This conversation is a blend of science, strategy, and deep compassion, offering real hope that it's never too late to build strength, reclaim your health, and feel truly weightless—inside and out. ••• Connect with Dr. Rocío: Preorder "Weightless" Book: https://weightlessthebook.com/?utm_source=ig&utm_medium=social&utm_content=link_in_bio&fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQMMjU2MjgxMDQwNTU4AAGnu-g-zjUsbanm0Eb0P0lnGqqCxvj4Rn4HgFYyTO4gZYeRWQlam3beXQiEeFk_aem_AXnyDrfHnig8_jjIsCKmmw Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drsalaswhalen/?hl=en ••• Make sure to follow Dr. Vonda Wright: Instagram: @drvondawright Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@vondawright Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@drvondawright LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vonda-wright-md-ms-2803374 Website: http://www.DrVondaWright.com

Dr Vonda's Unbreakable Bone Health provides bone density and quality support by using ingredients that have over 30 years of clinical research, patented and are directly linked to increasing bone strength, bone density, and improving the health and integrity of the bone. Unbreakable: https://shop.drvondawright.com/ ••• If you enjoyed this episode, Subscribe to "HOT For Your Health" for more inspiring episodes. Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/hot-for-your-health/id1055206993 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1Q2Al27D79jCLAyzp4hKBv?si=b62b374994884eed We'd love to hear your thoughts on this episode! Share your comments or join the discussion on social media using #HotForYourHealthPodcast.

In this episode of Hot For Your Health with Dr. Vonda Wright is joined by longtime friend, master formulator, and wellness innovator Sanjeev "Jeevers" Javia to break down one of the most overlooked—but most life-saving—topics in women's health: bone health. Using real data and decades of clinical experience, Dr. Wright reveals why fractures are a preventable epidemic, why osteoporosis is a "disease of youth" that shows up in midlife, and how women lose up to 20% of their bone density during perimenopause.

Sanjeev shares how bone operates as a dynamic organ—regulating hormones, glucose metabolism, cognition, and even satiety—and why modern diets and lifestyles leave most women nutrient-deficient long before symptoms appear. Together, they unpack the science behind the new Unbreakable Bone formulation—built on three pillars: collagen, hydroxyapatite, and micronutrient-rich red algae—and how it fits into Dr. Wright's 8 Shields for lifelong bone strength.

•••

Connect with Sanjeev Javia:

Website: https://www.proze.com/proze-philosophy/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/askjeevers/?hl=en

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sanjeev-javia-07971615

•••

Make sure to follow Dr. Vonda Wright:

Instagram: @drvondawright

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@vondawright

Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@drvondawright

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vonda-wright-md-ms-2803374

Website: http://www.DrVondaWright.com

•••

If you enjoyed this episode, Subscribe to "HOT For Your Health" for more inspiring episodes.

Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/hot-for-your-health/id1055206993

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1Q2Al27D79jCLAyzp4hKBv?si=b62b374994884eed

We'd love to hear your thoughts on this episode! Share your comments or join the discussion on social media using #HotForYourHealthPodcast.

In this episode of Hot For Your Health, Dr. Vonda Wright sits down with Lauren Ramsey — former Microsoft leader, tech executive, CEO, athlete, wellness strategist, and now part of the VMD Global Media team — to talk about what it really takes to build a strong, healthy, high-capacity life in midlife and beyond. Lauren shares how she went from 16-year-old college student to two decades in Big Tech to founding and running companies, all while raising a family, training for Ironman, and coaching women in health. Together, they dig into why so many women still struggle to take action on their health (even when they "know what to do"), how to bridge the gap between intention and behavior, and why the single biggest unlock is believing you are worth daily investment. They talk honest midlife realities — perimenopause brain fog, stress, self-sabotage, diet culture, longevity hype — and map out what actually works: fueling your body like it matters, building simple repeatable habits, lifting heavy, sleeping deeply, and choosing a future you're proud of. ••• Make sure to follow Dr. Vonda Wright: Instagram: @drvondawright Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@vondawright Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@drvondawright LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vonda-wright-md-ms-2803374 Website: http://www.DrVondaWright.com ••• If you enjoyed this episode, Subscribe to "HOT For Your Health" for more inspiring episodes. Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/hot-for-your-health/id1055206993 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1Q2Al27D79jCLAyzp4hKBv?si=b62b374994884eed We'd love to hear your thoughts on this episode! Share your comments or join the discussion on social media using #HotForYourHealthPodcast.

In this episode, Dr. Vonda Wright sits down with Anne Fulenwider and Monica Molenaar of Alloy Health, co-founders and co-CEOs of Alloy Health, to explore how their personal menopause journeys led them to build a women's health company that bridges the gap between medical care and accessible, ongoing support. Anne shares how having her ovaries removed at 40—and then navigating a confusing system with limited guidance—sparked the mission behind Alloy, while Monica reveals how everyday symptoms like incontinence drove innovation in skincare and hormone solutions. Together, they dive into Alloy's "care, not just content" model: connecting women directly with physicians via messaging, offering transparent pricing, and delivering prescription therapies, skincare, and metabolic care in one streamlined platform. The conversation tackles systemic barriers in women's health, the role of estrogen in skin and bladder health, and how Alloy is expanding into weight management during menopause. This episode is for anyone seeking clarity, community, and care in the era of midlife transformation. ••• Connect with Alloy Health: Website: https://www.myalloy.com/ ••• Make sure to follow Dr. Vonda Wright: Instagram: @drvondawright Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@vondawright Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@drvondawright LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vonda-wright-md-ms-2803374 Website: http://www.DrVondaWright.com ••• If you enjoyed this episode, Subscribe to "HOT For Your Health" for more inspiring episodes. Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/hot-for-your-health/id1055206993 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1Q2Al27D79jCLAyzp4hKBv?si=b62b374994884eed We'd love to hear your thoughts on this episode! Share your comments or join the discussion on social media using #HotForYourHealthPodcast.

In this episode, Dr. Vonda Wright reconnects with Dr. Manasa Mantravadi—a board-certified pediatrician, Certified Culinary Medicine Specialist, and founder of Ahimsa, the stainless steel dinnerware line engineered to reduce children's exposure to plastic and endocrine-disrupting chemicals. Dr. Mantravadi unpacks her medical journey and how she translated concern over additives in everyday foodware into a mission-driven company designed for health, aesthetics, and safety. Together, they explore the science behind microplastics and hormone-mimicking additives that silently infiltrate our food, disrupt insulin, fat cell signaling, and child neurodevelopment, and contribute to rising metabolic and cancer risks. Dr. Mantravadi shares concrete strategies for parents, caregivers, and institutions—kitchen swaps, school lunch reform, policy advocacy—that can shift the balance from exposure to protection. You'll finish this episode empowered with small but cumulative changes to defend children's health, one mealtime at a time. ••• Connect with Dr. Mantravadi: Website: https://manasamantravadimd.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-manasa-mantravadi-593b901b6/ ••• Make sure to follow Dr. Vonda Wright: Instagram: @drvondawright Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@vondawright Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@drvondawright LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vonda-wright-md-ms-2803374 Website: http://www.DrVondaWright.com ••• If you enjoyed this episode, Subscribe to "HOT For Your Health" for more inspiring episodes. Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/hot-for-your-health/id1055206993 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1Q2Al27D79jCLAyzp4hKBv?si=b62b374994884eed We'd love to hear your thoughts on this episode! Share your comments or join the discussion on social media using #HotForYourHealthPodcast.

In this episode, Dr. Vonda Wright sits down with Jules Vazquez—former Pitt and pro soccer player turned health-informatics expert and founder of Brain Body by Jules. Jules builds clinical algorithms for a health-tech company to speed access to care, and translates cutting-edge neuroscience into simple, actionable tools for brain and body health—a mission shaped by her own experiences with concussions and an eating disorder. Together, they unpack what neuroplasticity really is and how to train it at any age. Jules breaks down dual-task drills (movement + cognition), vision/vestibular/proprioceptive training, and nervous-system support through breathwork and vagus-nerve activation. They explore habit stacking (adding brain games to walks or workouts), why "doing hard things" strengthens discipline circuits, and practical wins—like humming, weighted pressure, and grounding—to calm anxiety and sharpen focus. The conversation ties these tools to midlife brain changes, sleep/nutrition/movement pillars, and everyday strategies listeners can start today to feel more present, resilient, and cognitively strong. ••• Connect with Jules Vasquez: Website: https://brainbodybyjules.podia.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brainbodybyjules/ ••• Make sure to follow Dr. Vonda Wright: Instagram: @drvondawright Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@vondawright Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@drvondawright LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vonda-wright-md-ms-2803374 Website: http://www.DrVondaWright.com ••• If you enjoyed this episode, Subscribe to "HOT For Your Health" for more inspiring episodes. Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/hot-for-your-health/id1055206993 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1Q2Al27D79jCLAyzp4hKBv?si=b62b374994884eed We'd love to hear your thoughts on this episode! Share your comments or join the discussion on social media using #HotForYourHealthPodcast.