We’ve all heard the phrase “The mitochondria is the powerhouse of the cell” — probably in high school biology, on a meme, or even on a T-shirt. But what most people don’t realize is that this isn’t just trivia. This is the foundation of how you age, how you feel, and how your body performs every single day.

In this episode, Joanne breaks down what cellular health really means — in plain English — and why the slow changes we call “aging” actually begin at the cellular level. You’ll learn how the tiny factories inside your body, your mitochondria, determine your energy, recovery, fat-burning ability, and even how fast you age.

Aging doesn’t start on the outside — it starts inside your cells. As mitochondria (your body’s energy factories) become less efficient, you experience fatigue, slower recovery, brain fog, and stubborn fat gain. Cellular decline is aging.

Every cell in your body relies on mitochondria to create ATP — your body’s version of a rechargeable battery. That means every blink, every heartbeat, every lift in the gym depends on these little energy makers. When they’re working well, you feel strong and unstoppable. When they’re not, you feel sluggish, no matter how “healthy” you think you are.

Healthy mitochondria can switch easily between using carbs and fats for fuel — what’s called metabolic flexibility. When that flexibility is lost, you become dependent on sugar and frequent snacks to keep going. That “I can’t skip breakfast or I’ll crash” feeling? It’s not lack of willpower — it’s your mitochondria waving the white flag.

When you constantly overfeed your cells — too much sugar, processed fat, or just too much food — mitochondria can’t keep up. They start producing “smoke” in the form of free radicals. Over time, this creates oxidative stress, damaging your proteins, membranes, and DNA. It’s the invisible corrosion that accelerates aging.

While some mitochondrial decline happens naturally with age, most of it comes from modern living — poor sleep, chronic stress, processed food, alcohol, and inactivity. These don’t just make you tired; they literally wear down your cells. The good news? The opposite is true too. You can rebuild cellular strength through simple, repeatable habits that compound over time.

Your body can make new mitochondria — a process called mitochondrial biogenesis. Exercise (especially Zone 2 cardio), consistent sleep, balanced nutrition, and hormetic stressors (like cold exposure or fasting) signal your body to “hire new workers.” More mitochondria = more energy, better fat burning, and slower aging.

• Prioritize daily movement — especially steady-state cardio.

• Eat nutrient-dense foods and avoid constant grazing.

• Get consistent, high-quality sleep.

• Expose your body to small challenges: sauna, cold plunges, fasting.

• Reduce alcohol, smoking, and ultra-processed food.

• Think energy first, not calories first.

You can’t see your mitochondria, but you can feel them. When they’re healthy, you have energy, focus, resilience, and a body that responds. When they’re not, you feel old — even if you’re not.

The real secret to longevity and vitality isn’t a magic supplement or a fancy detox. It’s cellular health. It’s the simple lifestyle habits — the ones we brush off as “too small to matter” — that quietly build your cellular foundation over time.

🎧 Tune in and learn how to become the CEO of your own cellular factory. Because when your cells thrive, you thrive.

🔗 Learn more at www.midlifemonth.com 🔗 Explore coaching and programs at www.jlcstrong.com

Why the FDA Reclassified 17 Peptides — and What It Really Means”

The headlines said the FDA “banned 17 peptides.” But the truth? It’s not a sudden ban — it’s the inevitable fallout of peptides becoming too popular for their own good.

In this episode, Joanne Lee Cornish breaks down what really happened in July, why it started with the GLP-1 explosion, and how the FDA’s new classification is reshaping the peptide world. From BPC-157 to MOTs-C and Epitalon, we’ll explore what each of the 17 peptides was known for, why compounding pharmacies can’t touch them anymore, and why large-scale human trials are still a distant dream.

Joanne also dives into the biggest roadblocks — why most peptides can’t be patented, and why that makes them a direct threat to multi-billion-dollar pharmaceuticals. The result? They’re too natural to own, too effective to ignore, and too competitive for Big Pharma to tolerate.

If you’re curious about where the peptide world stands now — what’s still available, what to be cautious about, and how this all ties back to the booming GLP-1 market — this 20-minute episode will bring it all together.

• What really happened in July: the FDA’s reclassification of 17 peptides

• Why GLP-1 drugs like semaglutide and tirzepatide triggered the crackdown

• A simple breakdown of what each peptide is used for — from gut repair to muscle growth

• How the FDA’s approval process really works (and why it costs millions)

• The two biggest barriers to legitimizing peptides: 1️⃣ You can’t patent what nature already makes 2️⃣ They compete directly with blockbuster drugs

• Why Big Pharma has zero incentive to fund peptide trials

• The gray zone: peptides still available through research labs — and how to approach them cautiously

Peptides didn’t suddenly become unsafe — they became too popular. And when something natural threatens a billion-dollar industry, regulation always follows.

Learn more about the peptides discussed in this episode and the science behind them:

• 5-Amino-1MQ – a breakthrough compound supporting muscle preservation and metabolic health: www.5amino.com

• SLU-PP-332 – designed to enhance cellular energy and performance: www.slu332.com

🎙️ Midlife Mayhem is available on all major platforms. Subscribe, share, and leave a review if you enjoyed this deep dive into the science, politics, and reality of modern health optimization.

👉 Mastering Midlife starts this Sunday! This is my most in-depth program of the year, and inside we’ll cover everything from hormones to metabolism to why weight loss feels harder in midlife. In this episode, I’ll also give you a sneak peek into one of our topics: plateaus—why they happen, and what to do when your body stalls. If you’re ready to finally understand your body in midlife (instead of fighting it), join us at www.midlifemonth.com.

Ever wondered why your best friend thinks cilantro is fresh and zesty, but you swear it tastes like dish soap? Or why coconut oil makes some people swoon, while others gag like they’ve just inhaled vomit fumes? Spoiler: it’s not drama—it’s genetics.

In this episode of Midlife Mayhem, I break down the science of taste and why we’re all living in slightly different “flavor universes.” You’ll learn how genes control what we taste, why some of us are cursed with bitter broccoli, and how your sweet tooth might actually be written into your DNA.

And as a bonus, I’ll walk you through one of the biggest frustrations in weight loss: plateaus. You’ll hear why your body stalls, what’s happening under the hood, and the strategies I use with clients to break through and keep momentum going.

• Genes 101: your body’s instruction manuals and why they shape your food experience.

• The five main tastes (sweet, salty, sour, bitter, umami) and how most “flavor” is actually smell.

• 🌿 Cilantro (OR6A2 gene): soap or salsa, depending on your DNA.

• 🥥 Coconut oil & butyric acid (TAS2R38 + OR51E1): why some people gag—and why those genes are also tied to sweet preference.

• 🥦 Broccoli & Brussels sprouts (TAS2R38): bitter for some, fine for others.

• ☕ Caffeine metabolism (CYP1A2): why some people thrive on coffee while others shake.

• 🍷 Alcohol flush (ALDH2): the “red face” gene.

• 🥦 Asparagus pee (OR2M7): the gene that decides if you can smell it.

• 🍭 Artificial sweeteners (TAS1R2/TAS1R3): sweet vs. metallic aftertaste.

• 🔄 Can taste change? Yes—palate training, exposure therapy, sugar sensitivity resets.

• ⚖️ Plateaus: the science behind them and how to break through when progress stalls.

Your genes influence what foods you love, hate, or find downright disgusting. But while DNA sets the stage, your habits, diet, and mindset decide how you adapt. You can actually learn to enjoy healthier foods, break through plateaus, and make midlife your strongest chapter yet.

👉 Join me for Mastering Midlife—starting this Sunday. Don’t waste another year wondering why your body feels stuck. Learn how to work with your genetics, hormones, and metabolism instead of fighting them.

➡️ Sign up now at www.midlifemonth.com

Episode Title: Why the WHI Study Still Misguides Midlife Women + Why Birth Control Isn’t Hormone Therapy

Mastering Midlife starts on SUNDAY (Sept 21) www.midlifemonth.com

In this episode of Midlife Mayhem, Joanne Lee Cornish breaks down one of the most damaging studies in women’s health history—the Women’s Health Initiative (WHI)—and explains how its flawed design still shapes the way doctors approach hormone replacement therapy (HRT) today.

She also explores why so many women in their 40s and 50s are prescribed birth control as “hormone therapy”, why it might feel like it works, and why the long-term consequences can be deeply concerning.

This conversation is not just for women—men face their own version of hormonal decline in midlife, and understanding both journeys creates stronger health, stronger relationships, and a deeper level of compassion.

• The WHI Study: What Went Wrong

  • Conducted in the 1990s, cost nearly $1 billion, involved 160,000 women.

  • The average participant age was 63—decades older than the women HRT was meant to study.

  • Participants were often overweight, hypertensive, or smokers—factors that skewed results.

  • The hormones tested (Premarin + Provera) were outdated, synthetic formulations rarely used today.

• Relative Risk vs Absolute Risk: How the Media Got It Wrong

  • Headlines screamed “26% increase in breast cancer risk.”

  • Actual increase was from 3 in 1,000 women to 3.8 in 1,000.

  • A frightening relative risk became a misleading headline that terrified women and doctors, leading to decades of confusion and reluctance to prescribe HRT.

• The Fallout That Still Shapes Midlife Care Today

  • Doctors stopped prescribing HRT.

  • A generation of physicians received little-to-no training in modern, bioidentical hormone therapy.

  • Millions of women were left without proper guidance during midlife.

• Birth Control as HRT: Why It’s Not the Same

  • Birth control suppresses natural hormone production instead of replacing what’s missing.

  • It significantly lowers testosterone—a key hormone for energy, mood, libido, and muscle tone.

  • Higher risks of clots and stroke, especially in women over 35, smokers, or those with metabolic issues.

  • Doctors prescribe it out of familiarity, insurance coverage, and convenience—not because it’s the best solution.

• Why Testosterone Matters in Midlife Women

  • Already declining naturally, testosterone is further suppressed by birth control.

  • Leads to reduced strength, energy, motivation, and intimacy.

  • Many women don’t connect these struggles back to suppressed testosterone until years later.

• Men and Midlife: The Overlooked Journey

  • Women’s hormonal chaos hits in their 40s, men’s decline (andropause) often creeps in during their 50s.

  • The mismatch in timing creates tension, frustration, and distance in relationships.

  • Understanding each other’s hormonal journeys builds patience, compassion, and stronger partnerships.

We’ve spent over two decades living with the fallout of a flawed study. If you’ve been scared of HRT, or if your doctor avoids the conversation, this episode will help you understand why—and how to ask better questions, find the right practitioners, and take control of your midlife journey.

This episode is just the beginning. If you want to go deeper, get real strategies, and finally master your midlife years, join my Mastering Midlife Program—starting Sunday, September 21.

👉 www.midlifemonth.com

This program only runs once a year. You’ll get:

• Live coaching calls (not a faceless webinar—you’ll be known by name)

• Access to an exclusive content library

• Practical, science-backed strategies for hormones, health, and body composition

• A supportive group of like-minded men and women navigating midlife together

As one past participant said:

“I didn’t want to join. My wife dragged me in. But this program did more for our marriage than two years of therapy.”

Don’t wait—this is your chance to stop guessing, stop Googling, and start thriving.

✨ Midlife may feel like mayhem, but with the right knowledge and strategy, it becomes the best chapter yet.