Are You There, Midlife? | Perimenopause, Weight Loss, Fatigue, Brain Fog, Hormone Imbalance, Balance Hormones Naturally cover art

Are You There, Midlife? | Perimenopause, Weight Loss, Fatigue, Brain Fog, Hormone Imbalance, Balance Hormones Naturally

Are You There, Midlife? | Perimenopause, Weight Loss, Fatigue, Brain Fog, Hormone Imbalance, Balance Hormones Naturally

By: Monica Topete | Perimenopause + Menopause Health Coach for Midlife Women
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 ***TOP 2% GLOBAL PODCAST*** The Go-to Podcast for Midlife Women Who Want To Balance Hormones Naturally Ugh. I feel so bloated. I’m retaining more water than the Hoover Dam. What? Not another pimple? It’s like puberty all over again! Sleep? What’s that like? (I forget.:＜) Umm, I just turned 40….. Aren’t I too young for this?!? — Hello Friend. (Can I call you “friend”? ‘Cuz we’re already friends in my head:) Welcome to Are You There, Midlife? It’s Me, Monica. I’m Monica Lane Topete, Certified Nutrition Coach Coach, Peri+ Menopause Educator, Personal Trainer, NASM Behavior Change Specialist, and Hormone Imbalance Survivor. And I’m on a mission to help women in mid life balance their hormones naturally without drugs, doctors (or divorce!) It wasn’t too long ago when perimenopause came crashing through my door with a ton of luggage (‘cuz she was prepared to stay for A WHILE!) I remember how overwhelmed, anxious, and pretty much clueless I was about what was happening to my body…and how desperate I was for a diagnosis! But, after SEVERAL visits to my doctor who gave me a clean bill of health and lab results that came back “within normal range,” I finally decided to take my health into my own hands. I spent OVER A YEAR combing through PubMed research studies, taking online courses in naturopathy and functional medicine, and becoming my own human guinea pig to crack the hormone code and create a research-based program that really worked to balance my hormones, put the kibosh on perimenopause symptoms, and lose stubborn weight–and keep it off–for more than 10 years! And now, I want to share it with you. Join me as I demystify the hormonal transition in midlife and spill the ”tea” on what to expect when you’re expecting perimenopause…and beyond. From anxiety to insomnia, body fat to funky body odor (yeah, that’s a thing!), I’ll unpack all the ”weird stuff” going on inside our midlife bodies, plus give you the latest science and holistic solutions to balance it all. ...Are you tired of dealing with heavy, painful periods that look like a crime scene?… ...Or struggling with symptoms like chronic headaches, fatigue, or brain fog that….(What was I saying again?).... ...Are you beyond frustrated doing “all the things” to lose weight—but are still packing on the pounds faster than a sumo wrestler in training Then, girl, you’re in the right place.:) There IS a way you can balance your hormones naturally that doesn’t involve band-aid solutions like antidepressants or birth control pills (which are a BIG mistake! HUGE!)...and that only provide temporary relief without fixing the root problem. In this podcast, you’ll learn how to: - End painful periods, menstrual headaches, and PMS - Improve your sleep, reduce night sweats, and increase your overall energy - Reduce hormonal depression and anxiety–WITHOUT meds! - Alleviate symptoms of inflammation like joint pain, hair loss, gut issues, and allergies - Move the scale on stubborn weight and belly fat (and never starve yourself again!) - Talk to your partner about perimenopause (without sounding like you’re totally insane!) It’s TIME to take back control of your hormones and show ‘em who’s boss...so you can feel confident and love yourself again! ...Without ever stepping foot inside a doctor’s office or resorting to crazy hormone pellets. No need to make an appointment or even change outta your PJs. Just come as you are–wherever you are–as I discuss ALL things hormones in midlife–with a bit of saucy humor. (‘Cuz laughing is better than crying, unless it makes you pee.:) --- Next Steps: Take the First Step to Balance Your Hormones Naturally With My FREE Hormone Symptom Profile Assessment!: https://bit.ly/takemyhormonequiz It’s Possible to Feel Like ‘You’ Again! Book a FREE Quick Fit Clarity Call to find out how my Master Your Midlife Hormones program can help you balance your hormones and move the dial on midlife weight gain: https://bit.ly/quickfitcall Become a Podcast Insider + Subscribe to The Hot Flash–Weekly hormone hacks, recipes, and lifestyle tips—no spam, no fluff, just science (with snacks:.): https://areyoutheremidlife.com/ Email Me: monica@monicalanetopete.com *Disclaimer: Information provided in this podcast is for educational and entertainment purposes only. The information is not intended or implied to supplement or replace professional medical treatment, advice, and/or diagnosis. I share the strategies that have worked for me and you are advised to do your own research and speak to your medical provider for care.Copyright 2025 All rights reserved. Alternative & Complementary Medicine Hygiene & Healthy Living
Episodes
  • 99 | What Your Perimenopause Blood Tests Mean—& How to Actually Interpret Them [What I Wish I Knew Series]

    99 | What Your Perimenopause Blood Tests Mean—& How to Actually Interpret Them [What I Wish I Knew Series]
    Oct 28 2025

    Do You Have A Hormone Imbalance? Take my FREE Hormone Symptom Profile Assessment: https://bit.ly/takemyhormonequiz

    If you’ve ever logged into your patient portal, opened up your lab results, and thought, “Great… but what am I even looking at?”—you’re not alone.

    According to a Gennev survey, two-thirds of midlife women say their doctors never explain what their hormone numbers actually mean.

    In today’s episode, I’m peeling back the curtain on how to interpret your perimenopause blood tests, including which hormones to test, and how the timing, type of test, and phase of your cycle can completely impact the results.

    In this episode, I‘ll address your most commonly asked questions, including:

    ✅ What hormones should women check during perimenopause?

    ✅ Is there a best time or day to get hormones tested?

    ✅ What’s the best way to test hormones — blood, saliva, or urine?

    ✅ What’s the difference between “normal” vs “optimal hormone levels”?

    ✅ What do my hormone test results mean?

    ✅ What should I do if my doctor won’t order hormone tests?

    If you’ve ever asked, “Why is my hormone bloodwork 'normal' when I feel terrible?”—this episode connects the dots between your symptoms and your lab results.

    —

    NEXT STEPS:

    Reboot your energy, balance your mood, and move the scale on stubborn weight gain! Apply for my Master Your Midlife Hormones program: bit.ly/fixmyhormonesnow

    —

    “WHAT I WISH I KNEW AT 40” SERIES

    98 | When “Normal” Labs Lie: What Doctors Miss About Hormones in Perimenopause & Menopause [What I Wish I Knew Series]: https://pod.fo/e/3419f8

    97 | When Anxiety, Anger, or Depression Is a Hormone Imbalance in Disguise [What I Wish I Knew Series]: https://pod.fo/e/33d3f1

    96 | 5 Perimenopause Symptoms I Ignored at 40…And Why You Shouldn’t [What I Wish I Knew Series: https://bit.ly/takemyhormonequiz

    RESOURCES:

    Do You Have A Hormone Imbalance? Take my FREE Hormone Symptom Profile Assessment: https://bit.ly/takemyhormonequiz

    Become a Podcast Insider + Subscribe to The Hot Flash–Weekly hormone hacks, recipes, and lifestyle tips I don’t share anywhere else!: https://areyoutheremidlife.com/

    Tired of Tossing and Turning? Grab my FREE “Better Sleep After 40” Supplement Cheat Sheet: https://monicalanetopete.kit.com/sleepbetter

    Record a Question to Be Answered on the Pod: https://www.speakpipe.com/AreYouThereMidlife

    —

    *Disclaimer: Information provided in this podcast is for educational and entertainment purposes only. The information is not intended or implied to supplement or replace professional medical treatment, advice, and/or diagnosis. I share the strategies that have worked for me, and you are advised to do your own research and speak to your medical provider for care.
    Show More Show Less
    23 mins
  • 97 | When Anxiety, Anger, or Depression Is a Hormone Imbalance in Disguise [What I Wish I Knew Series]

    97 | When Anxiety, Anger, or Depression Is a Hormone Imbalance in Disguise [What I Wish I Knew Series]
    Oct 14 2025

    Ready to reboot your energy, get better sleep, balance your mood, and move the scale on stubborn weight gain? Apply for my Master Your Midlife Hormones program and start seeing results before the holidays: bit.ly/fixmyhormonesnow

    Ever wonder why everyone you know seems to be on an antidepressant?

    According to the North American Menopause Society, nearly 60 percent of women going through perimenopause experience anxiety or depression—and yet, most of us are never told it could be a symptom of a hormonal imbalance.

    In today’s episode, I’m peeling back the curtain on the three hormone imbalances most often mistaken for mood disorders—and what to ask your doctor before saying yes to medication that only masks the real issue.

    In this episode, we‘ll address your most commonly asked questions, including:

    ✅ Why do I feel anxious for no reason in my 40s?

    ✅ Can a hormone imbalance cause depression?

    ✅ Is anxiety in perimenopause normal?

    ✅ Why do antidepressants stop working in midlife?

    ✅ What hormones cause mood swings in perimenopause?

    ✅ What’s the difference between hormonal anxiety and real anxiety?

    ✅ Why does my doctor say my labs are normal when I feel awful?

    If you’ve ever thought, “Maybe it’s not me—it’s my hormones,” this episode is for you.

    —

    NEXT STEPS:

    Reboot your energy, balance your mood, and move the scale on stubborn weight gain! Apply for my Master Your Midlife Hormones program: bit.ly/fixmyhormonesnow

    —

    EPISODES MENTIONED:

    96 | 5 Perimenopause Symptoms I Ignored at 40…And Why You Shouldn’t [What I Wish I Knew Series: https://bit.ly/takemyhormonequiz

    --

    RESOURCES:

    Do You Have A Hormone Imbalance? Take my FREE Hormone Symptom Profile Assessment: https://bit.ly/takemyhormonequiz

    Become a Podcast Insider + Subscribe to The Hot Flash–Weekly hormone hacks, recipes, and lifestyle tips I don’t share anywhere else!: https://areyoutheremidlife.com/

    Tired of Tossing and Turning? Grab my FREE “Better Sleep After 40” Supplement Cheat Sheet: https://monicalanetopete.kit.com/sleepbetter

    Record a Question to Be Answered on the Pod: https://www.speakpipe.com/AreYouThereMidlife

    —

    *Disclaimer: Information provided in this podcast is for educational and entertainment purposes only. The information is not intended or implied to supplement or replace professional medical treatment, advice, and/or diagnosis. I share the strategies that have worked for me, and you are advised to do your own research and speak to your medical provider for care.
    Show More Show Less
    18 mins
  • 96 | 5 Perimenopause Symptoms I Ignored at 40…And Why You Shouldn’t [What I Wish I Knew Series]

    96 | 5 Perimenopause Symptoms I Ignored at 40…And Why You Shouldn’t [What I Wish I Knew Series]
    Oct 7 2025

    Master Your Midlife Hormones In Less Than 90 Days. Apply To Work With Me: bit.ly/fixmyhormonesnow

    Studies show women spend an average of four years dismissing perimenopause symptoms before realizing what’s actually going on.

    Four years!!!

    That’s 1,460 days of sleepless nights, sweating through your pajamas, and snapping at your partner, your kids, even the dog—because you don’t know what you don’t know, and no one (especially your doctor) is talking about “hormones.”

    In today’s episode, I’m peeling back the curtain on the 5 symptoms I ignored at age 40 that came back to bite me in perimenopause—and why you can’t afford to.

    In this episode, we‘ll address your most commonly asked questions, including

    ✅ What are the first signs that perimenopause has started?

    ✅ What happens to your hormones during perimenopause?

    ✅ Why am I getting acne in my 40s?

    ✅ Why has my period suddenly become heavier or more irregular?

    ✅ Can the birth control pill help my perimenopause symptoms?

    ✅ Why is my PMS getting worse?

    ✅ Why do I wake up sweating at 2 a.m.?

    ✅ Why can’t I remember simple words anymore?

    If you’ve been feeling like a stranger in your own body lately, this episode is for you.

    —

    NEXT STEPS:

    Master Your Midlife Hormones In Less Than 90 Days. Apply To Work With Me: bit.ly/fixmyhormonesnow

    —

    RESOURCES:

    Do You Have A Hormone Imbalance? Take my FREE Hormone Symptom Profile Assessment: https://bit.ly/takemyhormonequiz

    Become a Podcast Insider + Subscribe to The Hot Flash–Weekly hormone hacks, recipes, and lifestyle tips I don’t share anywhere else!: https://areyoutheremidlife.com/

    Tired of Tossing and Turning? Grab my FREE “Better Sleep After 40” Supplement Cheat Sheet: https://monicalanetopete.kit.com/sleepbetter

    Record a Question to Be Answered on the Pod: https://www.speakpipe.com/AreYouThereMidlife

    —

    *Disclaimer: Information provided in this podcast is for educational and entertainment purposes only. The information is not intended or implied to supplement or replace professional medical treatment, advice, and/or diagnosis. I share the strategies that have worked for me, and you are advised to do your own research and speak to your medical provider for care.
    Show More Show Less
    20 mins
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