In this empowering episode of Wealthyist—the podcast exploring the lifestyles, choices, and strategies of the affluent—host Deanne Phillips (a CFP and bodybuilding enthusiast) interviews Dr. Tes Jordens. Dr. Jordens, founder of 1988 Wellness (named for the year U.S. women gained independent access to small business loans), shares insights on midlife women's health, debunking myths around menopause, hormone replacement therapy (HRT), and obesity. The conversation ties into "wealthyist" trends, emphasizing proactive, private-pay investments in vitality as foundational to financial success and confidence.

Key Discussion Themes

1. Menopause Realities and Patient Journeys  
   • Menopause symptoms (fatigue, weight gain, sleep disruption, hot flashes) often start in the 30s-40s but peak in the 40s-50s, exacerbated by estrogen decline, which spikes cardiovascular risk ~10 years later than in men.  
   • Typical patients: Frustrated women dismissed by primary care as "anxious" or "normal," seeking holistic answers. Host shares her thyroid struggles and early menopause at 46, leading to 45-pound gain and life crisis.  
   • Shift from "disease care" to prevention: Women increasingly seek to "capture that 30s-40s feeling" before decline, rejecting it as a "rite of passage."
2. HRT Myths, Benefits, and Options  
   • Debunks 2002 Women's Health Initiative (WHI) fallout: Media sensationalism linked HRT to cancer/strokes, but flaws (e.g., average participant age 63, not perimenopausal) caused mass hysteria. Science now shows HRT (estradiol, progesterone, testosterone) is safe and protective when started within 10 years of menopause or before 60.  
   • Benefits: Reduces dementia/osteoporosis risk (only proven preventive for bones), supports heart health, boosts energy for workouts/career. Can continue indefinitely unless major contraindications (e.g., active breast/endometrial cancer, recent stroke).  
   • Delivery methods: Tailored to needs—pills (liver-processed for brain protection), patches/gels/sprays, pellets (host switched due to glute workouts displacing them), vaginal creams for UTIs/frequency in 70s-80s.  
   • Advice: Persist beyond dismissive docs; seek certified specialists. No "magic pill," but HRT sparks virtuous cycles (e.g., energy for strength training).
3. Obesity and "Menopause Belly" Strategies  
   • Visceral fat (around organs) drives inflammation, insulin resistance, diabetes/heart risks—not just aesthetic.  
   • Tools: GLP-1 meds (e.g., Ozempic) as aids, not cures; combine with protein/fiber-rich nutrition, movement. Focus on building strength for 70s-80s independence, not restriction/diet culture.  
   • Trifecta approach: HRT + meds + habits (e.g., trainers, dietitians) for sustainable results. Host credits HRT for reigniting her bodybuilding passion at 60.
4. Wealthyist Trends in Self-Pay Health  
   • Affluent women prioritize out-of-pocket empowerment: Comprehensive blood panels (e.g., ferritin, CRP for inflammation/hemochromatosis), DEXA scans (~$100-300, gold standard for bone/muscle/fat composition—insurance covers only post-65, too late).  
   • Lifestyle shifts: Strength training (future-proofing against frailty), creatine (debunking "gym bro" stigma; aids muscle, cognition), peptides/collagen for skin/energy.  
   • Mindset: Health as wealth foundation—invest like education/wardrobes. Bucket finances for "personal care" (HRT ~$50-200/month) to sustain vitality post-retirement. Women unafraid to hire experts, rejecting "suffer silently."

Closing Takeaways
Dr. Jordens urges midlife women: Don't quit seeking help; it's not "just aging." For parents in their 70s-80s, consider vaginal estrogen for UTI prevention. Host, prepping for a 60-year-old bodybuilding comp, embodies the episode's vibe: Midlife is for thriving, not surviving. Reach Dr. Jordens at 1988wellness.com or @drtesjordens on socials.  

This ~45-minute chat blends vulnerability, science, and aspiration—perfect for wealthy women redefining aging as an asset. Tune in for motivation to audit your health plan today!