Today, we welcome Dana Culp, a doctor of nursing practice, founder of Thrive Midlife Medicine, and a certified menopause expert, for a candid and empowering conversation about navigating the complexities of perimenopause and menopause. Dana shares her personal journey from critical care medicine to becoming a passionate advocate for women’s midlife health after her own symptoms were repeatedly dismissed by healthcare providers.

Dana explains the foundational pillars of midlife wellness and shares practical strategies for advocating in the doctor’s office, the essential lab tests every woman should consider.

The episode also explores the impact of weight gain, the role of GLP-1 medications, and the importance of building a supportive care team. Dana’s insights on symptom tracking, self-advocacy, and incremental lifestyle changes offer hope and actionable steps, as well as a better understanding why self-education and persistence are crucial in a healthcare system that often overlooks women’s experiences.

Connect:

• Website: https://www.thrivemidlifemed.com/
• Instagram: @thrivemidlifemed
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thrivemidlifemed
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/thrive-midlife-medicine/

Resources:

• FREE WORKBOOK: The Midlife Belly Fat Reset: A 7-Day Hormone-Friendly Plan for Women in Menopause

Let us know if you're liking the show!

Hen's Den Yoga
A serene and cozy home studio nestled in the Comox Valley offering a variety of wellness classes.

Support the show

Meet the host, Mary, a Licensed Menopause Champion, certified Menopause Doula, and Women’s Coaching Specialist supporting women - peri to post.

Mary is also a corporate educator, helping forward-thinking organizations foster a menopause-friendly workplace and design policies and accommodations for employees. Click to learn more https://emmeellecoaching.com/menopauseatwork

Turn your menopause transition into a transformation with the Menopause Intelligence Course (MQ), an 8-module, self-paced learning experience, empowering you to take agency over your health and make informed decisions with your healthcare team.

Connect:

• Instagram @menopausedisruptorpodcast
• LinkedIn linkedin.com/in/maryhelenlee/

Enjoy the show? Leave a comment on Spotify

Disclaimer: Information shared is for educational and entertainment purposes only and does not replace medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional....

In this episode, Mary sits down with Colette Courtion, CEO and founder of Joylux, to explore one of the most overlooked—and misunderstood—parts of the menopause journey: intimate wellness.

They unpack the persistent menopause knowledge gap in healthcare, where many primary care providers receive minimal formal training in menopause, leaving women dismissed or told their symptoms are simply something to endure. Colette shares how her rapid transition from motherhood to menopause exposed this gap—and sparked the creation of Joylux.

As an entrepreneur in medical aesthetics, Colette had a pivotal insight: if red-light technology could rejuvenate facial tissue, can it support vaginal tissues? By partnering with a leading OB-GYN, that idea became vFit—the first FDA-cleared, at-home device designed to support vaginal and pelvic health through menopause and beyond.

The conversation highlights why science-backed innovation matters in a crowded menopause market, how Joylux is raising the bar through clinical research and medical advisory boards, and the role of authentic advocacy—including partnerships with Halle Berry—in bringing vaginal health into the mainstream.

Colette calls out the disparity in female health and the urgent need for systemic change from insurers and regulators to acceptance of language around intimate wellness.

Connect

• Learn more about at joylux.com
• Collette on LinkedIn 

00:00 The Menopause Knowledge Gap
01:07 Introduction to the Menopause Disruptor Podcast
01:23 Spotlight on Intimate Wellness
02:09 Meet Colette Courtion: Innovator in Women's Health
05:24 The Birth of Joylux
09:48 Challenges and Triumphs in Women's Health
17:57 Empowering Women with At-Home Solutions
22:21 Navigating the Menopause Market
25:33 The Importance of Knowing the Brand
26:21 Blending Person

Let us know if you're liking the show!

Hen's Den Yoga
A serene and cozy home studio nestled in the Comox Valley offering a variety of wellness classes.

Support the show

Meet the host, Mary, a Licensed Menopause Champion, certified Menopause Doula, and Women’s Coaching Specialist supporting women - peri to post.

Mary is also a corporate educator, helping forward-thinking organizations foster a menopause-friendly workplace and design policies and accommodations for employees. Click to learn more https://emmeellecoaching.com/menopauseatwork

Turn your menopause transition into a transformation with the Menopause Intelligence Course (MQ), an 8-module, self-paced learning experience, empowering you to take agency over your health and make informed decisions with your healthcare team.

Connect:

• Instagram @menopausedisruptorpodcast
• LinkedIn linkedin.com/in/maryhelenlee/

Enjoy the show? Leave a comment on Spotify

Disclaimer: Information shared is for educational and entertainment purposes only and does not replace medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional....

In this episode, Mary sits down with a young visionary entrepreneur Chelsea Jambo. She is the CEO and Founder of OURBody, a Canadian wellness brand built on a mission to make hormone support taste great, work gently, and fit real life. 

Chelsea has created an organic herbal blend of teas uniquely crafted  to bring comfort and support to women through various hormonal phases. Her entreprenurial journey was ignited by a personal experience of medical dismissal and gaslighting. She reveals the motivations behind the brand, as well as her extensive research that went into formulating not just a blend for women of her generation, but for all the female hormone milestones. 

Chelsea also shares that her brand is a movement closely aligned with her commitment to locally source high-quality ingredients and built on relationships with suppliers and distributors. 

This is a story of entrepreneurial spirit reminding us that community support, education, and advocacy can be inspire change with the current healthcare system's approach to female health issues.

Connect:

• Shop the brand or inquire about becoming a distributor at OURbody https://www.ourbody.ca/
• Instagram @shopourbody https://www.instagram.com/shopourbody/

Let us know if you're liking the show!

Hen's Den Yoga
A serene and cozy home studio nestled in the Comox Valley offering a variety of wellness classes.

Support the show

Meet the host, Mary, a Licensed Menopause Champion, certified Menopause Doula, and Women’s Coaching Specialist supporting women - peri to post.

Mary is also a corporate educator, helping forward-thinking organizations foster a menopause-friendly workplace and design policies and accommodations for employees. Click to learn more https://emmeellecoaching.com/menopauseatwork

Turn your menopause transition into a transformation with the Menopause Intelligence Course (MQ), an 8-module, self-paced learning experience, empowering you to take agency over your health and make informed decisions with your healthcare team.

Connect:

• Instagram @menopausedisruptorpodcast
• LinkedIn linkedin.com/in/maryhelenlee/

Enjoy the show? Leave a comment on Spotify

Disclaimer: Information shared is for educational and entertainment purposes only and does not replace medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional....

In this episode, Mary sits down with Jennifer Gularson, certified physician assistant and functional medicine practitioner, to explore what women truly need during midlife—and why the current healthcare system often falls short.

Together, they unpack hormone therapy across the lifespan, including estrogen, progesterone, and the often-overlooked role of testosterone for women, as well as the growing use of peptides and GLP-1 agonists for weight management. Jennifer explains why symptom-based care misses the bigger picture and how a root-cause, functional medicine approach—grounded in nutrition, sleep, stress, relationships, and movement—can be life-changing.

The conversation also dives into the psychosocial and relational aspects of libido, intimacy, and body image in menopause, the barriers women face in accessing appropriate hormone care, and the future of personalised medicine through genetic testing and AI—without losing the essential human connection in healthcare.

Jennifer's message serves as a powerful reminder women deserve more than quick fixes. They deserve care that listens, integrates science with spirituality, and supports long-term vitality, autonomy, and self-trust.

Connect with Jennifer at yourbestlifewithjennifer.com, @jennifergularson

 00:10 Why women are demanding better menopause care
 03:45 From traditional medicine to functional medicine
 09:30 What “root cause” medicine really means
 16:20 Hormones, libido, and intimacy in midlife
 25:10 Testosterone therapy for women: myths & barriers
 34:40 Weight gain, estrogen loss & GLP-1 medications
 44:30 Lifestyle foundations that actually move the needle
 52:10 Genetics, AI & the future of personalised healthcare
 58:30 Reclaiming women’s health, voice & power

Let us know if you're liking the show!

Hen's Den Yoga
A serene and cozy home studio nestled in the Comox Valley offering a variety of wellness classes.

Support the show

Meet the host, Mary, a Licensed Menopause Champion, certified Menopause Doula, and Women’s Coaching Specialist supporting women - peri to post.

Mary is also a corporate educator, helping forward-thinking organizations foster a menopause-friendly workplace and design policies and accommodations for employees. Click to learn more https://emmeellecoaching.com/menopauseatwork

Turn your menopause transition into a transformation with the Menopause Intelligence Course (MQ), an 8-module, self-paced learning experience, empowering you to take agency over your health and make informed decisions with your healthcare team.

Connect:

• Instagram @menopausedisruptorpodcast
• LinkedIn linkedin.com/in/maryhelenlee/

Enjoy the show? Leave a comment on Spotify

Disclaimer: Information shared is for educational and entertainment purposes only and does not replace medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional....

In this episode, Mary delves into the nuances of exercise for women during menopause and perimenopause. 

Mary discusses the physiology of exercise she learned as a student of Dr. Stacy Sims (Menopause 2.0), emphasizing the importance of both heavy lifting and high volume workouts for muscle growth, metabolic health, and overall resilience. 

This episode covers why and how exercise should be adapted for midlife bodies, examining the benefits and differences between high intensity and high volume training approaches. 

Mary also provides practical tips she gained as a certified Women's Coaching Specialist (Girls Gone Strong) on developing a sustainable exercise routine that includes cardiovascular training, interval workouts, and strength training. 

Resources

• Why HIIT Matters for Women’s Body and Brain Health by Dr. Stacy Sims
• Take your health journey during menopause further with the Midlife Belly Fat Reset, a FREE guide to help women kickstart their fitness journey. Visit https://subscribepage.io/bellyfatreset

00:54 The Psychology and Physiology of Exercise
01:18 Why Exercise is Crucial During Menopause
01:55 Adapting Exercise for Midlife Bodies
03:22 Heavy Lifting vs. High Volume Training
06:13 The Benefits of Heavy Resistance Training
08:08 High Volume Lightweights and Their Role
10:06 Combining Heavy Lifting and High Volume
11:28 Ideal Exercise Amounts for Menopausal Women
15:52 Practical Tips for Starting Your Fitness Journey
17:57 Conclusion and Free Resources

Let us know if you're liking the show!

Support the show

Meet the host, Mary, a Licensed Menopause Champion, certified Menopause Doula, and Women’s Coaching Specialist supporting women - peri to post.

Mary is also a corporate educator, helping forward-thinking organizations foster a menopause-friendly workplace and design policies and accommodations for employees. Click to learn more https://emmeellecoaching.com/menopauseatwork

Turn your menopause transition into a transformation with the Menopause Intelligence Course (MQ), an 8-module, self-paced learning experience, empowering you to take agency over your health and make informed decisions with your healthcare team.

Connect:

• Instagram @menopausedisruptorpodcast
• LinkedIn linkedin.com/in/maryhelenlee/

Enjoy the show? Leave a comment on Spotify

Disclaimer: Information shared is for educational and entertainment purposes only and does not replace medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional....

In this solo podcast episode, Mary closes out 2025 and welcomes in 2026 through reflections on numerology and Chinese astrology. This final episode of the year offers another guided meditation in the Goddess Series.

Highlighting the significance of the universal year one and the year of the horse, the episode encourages women to reflect on their past nine years, trust their instincts, and embrace new beginnings with courage and wisdom. The guided meditation focuses on integrating body wisdom with soul wisdom, fostering a sense of trust, and initiating forward movement.

00:00 Welcome and Introduction
01:32 Numerology and the Significance of 2026
02:41 Reflecting on the Past Nine Years
03:44 Divine Feminine Energy in 2026
07:24 Guided Meditation: Portal to 2026
15:46 Closing Thoughts and New Beginnings

Let us know if you're liking the show!

Support the show

Meet the host, Mary, a Licensed Menopause Champion, certified Menopause Doula, and Women’s Coaching Specialist supporting women - peri to post.

Mary is also a corporate educator, helping forward-thinking organizations foster a menopause-friendly workplace and design policies and accommodations for employees. Click to learn more https://emmeellecoaching.com/menopauseatwork

Turn your menopause transition into a transformation with the Menopause Intelligence Course (MQ), an 8-module, self-paced learning experience, empowering you to take agency over your health and make informed decisions with your healthcare team.

Connect:

• Instagram @menopausedisruptorpodcast
• LinkedIn linkedin.com/in/maryhelenlee/

Enjoy the show? Leave a comment on Spotify

Disclaimer: Information shared is for educational and entertainment purposes only and does not replace medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional....

Today's episode features Dr. Sara Tariq, an internal medicine physician at Northern Virginia Family Practice with over two decades of clinical experience.

Dr. Tariq is a dedicated advocate for systemic transformation within healthcare, passionately addressing inequities and fostering cultural shifts through relationship-centered care.

Dr. Tariq discusses the challenges of navigating midlife weight gain, body image, and the stories behind our eating habits. She shares her countless experiences coaching clients through starting on Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 (GLP-1) medications, like Ozempic and Wegovy, to tackle increased stubborn weight that can occur in the menopause transition. These medications, initially developed for type 2 diabetes, are now being used to help non-diabetic women manage weight through appetite regulation and improved satiety.

We uncover the misconceptions and stigma surrounding GLP-1s, the importance of addressing nutritional deficiencies, and the critical role of mental health and mindset in a patient's health journey.

Key Takeaways:

• GLP-1s are evidence-based tools, not quick fixes, and should be used under professional guidance.
• Each woman’s journey is unique. Coaches and providers should listen, empathize, and support women’s agency and choices.
• The power in shifting from a “skinny” to a “strong” mindset and embracing resistance training, self-compassion, and self-advocacy.

Resources:

•  GLP1 Cheat Sheet (Source: GGS Academy) 

Contact:

• Dr. Tariq’s clinic at Northern Virginia Family Practice  and on Instagram  @drsaratariqnvfp

Let us know if you're liking the show!

Hen's Den Yoga
A serene and cozy home studio nestled in the Comox Valley offering a variety of wellness classes.

Support the show

Meet the host, Mary, a Licensed Menopause Champion, certified Menopause Doula, and Women’s Coaching Specialist supporting women - peri to post.

Mary is also a corporate educator, helping forward-thinking organizations foster a menopause-friendly workplace and design policies and accommodations for employees. Click to learn more https://emmeellecoaching.com/menopauseatwork

Turn your menopause transition into a transformation with the Menopause Intelligence Course (MQ), an 8-module, self-paced learning experience, empowering you to take agency over your health and make informed decisions with your healthcare team.

Connect:

• Instagram @menopausedisruptorpodcast
• LinkedIn linkedin.com/in/maryhelenlee/

Enjoy the show? Leave a comment on Spotify

Disclaimer: Information shared is for educational and entertainment purposes only and does not replace medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional....

In this episode, host Mary breaks down the misconception that menopause is merely about hot flashes and mood swings, and emphasizes the importance of bone, brain, and heart health during this life phase. The role of estrogen goes far beyond reproductive health, and its decline can have serious physiological impacts if left unchecked.

Drawing on insights from prominent researchers and authors such as Dr. Lisa Mosconi, Dr. Avrum Bluming, and Dr. Stacy Sims, this episode explores strategies including heavy resistance training, sprint interval training, and a Mediterranean-style diet to effectively manage hormonal shifts.

Mary also introduces Menopause Intelligence—an online learning experience designed to empower women through education and self-advocacy—along with a free workbook offering practical guidance on fitness, nutrition, and stress management.

Resources:

• Maximize Heart Health Through Nutrition with Michelle Routhenstein, Episode 43
• The Hidden Impact of Modern Wheat and the Microbiome on Women’s Health with Dr. William Davis, Episode 77
• Estrogen Matters by Dr. Avrum Bluming and Carol Tavris 
• The Menopause Brain by Dr. Lisa Monsconi 
• Next Level by Dr. Stacy Sims

Sign up for a free resource: The Midlife Belly Fat Reset: A 7-Day Gut–Hormone–Workout Plan. 

In this plan, you’ll receive gut-friendly, hormone-balancing nutrition insights, a powerful heavy resistance training strategy, and simple stress-reset rituals you can do in under 10 minutes a day to support the gut–brain axis. Start shifting belly fat at the root cause by working with your body, not against it.

Sign up today: https://subscribepage.io/bellyfatreset.

Let us know if you're liking the show!

Support the show

Meet the host, Mary, a Licensed Menopause Champion, certified Menopause Doula, and Women’s Coaching Specialist supporting women - peri to post.

Mary is also a corporate educator, helping forward-thinking organizations foster a menopause-friendly workplace and design policies and accommodations for employees. Click to learn more https://emmeellecoaching.com/menopauseatwork

Turn your menopause transition into a transformation with the Menopause Intelligence Course (MQ), an 8-module, self-paced learning experience, empowering you to take agency over your health and make informed decisions with your healthcare team.

Connect:

• Instagram @menopausedisruptorpodcast
• LinkedIn linkedin.com/in/maryhelenlee/

Enjoy the show? Leave a comment on Spotify

Disclaimer: Information shared is for educational and entertainment purposes only and does not replace medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional....

In this episode, Mary is joined by Sarah Ham, a Mammography Supervisor, Medical Radiography Technologist, and Yoga Teacher with more than two decades of experience in women’s breast health.

Originally from the Comox Valley, Sarah moved to Burnaby after high school to attend the Medical Radiography Technology program at BCIT, graduating in 1999. She went on to gain extensive clinical experience at Burnaby Hospital, Brooke Radiology, and Mount St. Joseph Hospital, where she completed her specialized training in mammography. After two years working in the Lower Mainland, Sarah returned to the Comox Valley in 2001, where she continues to support women’s breast health in her community.

In this conversation, Sarah draws on both her professional expertise and personal insights to demystify mammograms and breast imaging. She explains the importance of early screening, outlines the different imaging modalities available, and addresses common fears and misconceptions that often prevent women from accessing care.

Sarah also shares her personal journey through loss and healing, and reflects on the powerful role yoga has played in supporting her physical, emotional, and mental well-being.

This episode encourages listeners to take a proactive approach to their health by becoming informed, advocating for themselves, and replacing fear with education.

Resources:

• For listeners residing in British Columbia, Canada, learn more about breast screening here: https://www.bccancer.bc.ca/screening/breast
• Find Sarah and her yoga studio offerings on Instagram @HensDenYoga 

Let us know if you're liking the show!

Hen's Den Yoga
A serene and cozy home studio nestled in the Comox Valley offering a variety of wellness classes.

Support the show

Meet the host, Mary, a Licensed Menopause Champion, certified Menopause Doula, and Women’s Coaching Specialist supporting women - peri to post.

Mary is also a corporate educator, helping forward-thinking organizations foster a menopause-friendly workplace and design policies and accommodations for employees. Click to learn more https://emmeellecoaching.com/menopauseatwork

Turn your menopause transition into a transformation with the Menopause Intelligence Course (MQ), an 8-module, self-paced learning experience, empowering you to take agency over your health and make informed decisions with your healthcare team.

Connect:

• Instagram @menopausedisruptorpodcast
• LinkedIn linkedin.com/in/maryhelenlee/

Enjoy the show? Leave a comment on Spotify

Disclaimer: Information shared is for educational and entertainment purposes only and does not replace medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional....

In this episode, Mary welcomes Hannah Hembree Bell, an award-winning Austin family law attorney, mom of four, and founder and CEO of one of the fastest-growing family law firms in the United States, Hembree Bell Law.

Hannah shares her deeply personal journey of losing custody and financial ground in her own divorce. She transformed those hard-won lessons into a national community helping women prepare wisely for one of life's most disruptive transitions.

Hannah delivers raw, practical wisdom about preparing strategically, protecting yourself legally and emotionally. Her message is clear: you don't have to live a life that sucks, and hope is not a strategy—action is.

Key Points Covered:

•  Menopause, a catalyst or the cause: A look at research, surveys and statistics.
• Cost-Benefit Analysis of Leaving vs. Staying: Using the "scale of justice" metaphor.
• The Derivative Identity Trap: How women define themselves through relationships rather than core characteristics (brave, strong, kind, generous). 
• The Gray Divorce phenomenon: Women often spend 5-10 years considering divorce before taking action.
• Don't Act from Activation: Critical advice to check hormone levels, thyroid function, and overall health before making permanent decisions.

Connect

• Hembree Bell Law Firm: https://hembrebell.com 
• Follow Hannah on social media: @HannahHembreeBell (Instagram, TikTok)
• My Confident Divorce Framework (FREE course): https://myconfidentdivorce.com 

Resources:

• Support and Solutions for Thriving Beyond Divorce https://sasforwomen.com/menopause-and-divorce/
• Family Law Menopause Project:

Let us know if you're liking the show!

Hen's Den Yoga
A serene and cozy home studio nestled in the Comox Valley offering a variety of wellness classes.

Support the show

Meet the host, Mary, a Licensed Menopause Champion, certified Menopause Doula, and Women’s Coaching Specialist supporting women - peri to post.

Mary is also a corporate educator, helping forward-thinking organizations foster a menopause-friendly workplace and design policies and accommodations for employees. Click to learn more https://emmeellecoaching.com/menopauseatwork

Turn your menopause transition into a transformation with the Menopause Intelligence Course (MQ), an 8-module, self-paced learning experience, empowering you to take agency over your health and make informed decisions with your healthcare team.

Connect:

• Instagram @menopausedisruptorpodcast
• LinkedIn linkedin.com/in/maryhelenlee/

Enjoy the show? Leave a comment on Spotify

Disclaimer: Information shared is for educational and entertainment purposes only and does not replace medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional....