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In this empowering episode, Dr. Gabrielle Lyon sits down with the incredible mother-daughter duo, Michelle and Joan MacDonald, to share the blueprint for radical physical transformation at any age. Joan, who began her journey nearing 71 years old, proves it's never too late, while coach Michelle, a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS), cuts through the noise on training, nutrition, and mindset.

They tackle deeply personal topics, including Michelle's 15-year struggle with a severe eating disorder and the shame that surrounds women's health. This is a must-watch to learn the non-negotiable pillars for building a strong, resilient, and healthy body, no matter your starting point.

Michelle MacDonald is a trailblazer in the global movement to redefine aging and female

empowerment through strength. As the founder of The Wonderwomen, a world-class coaching

brand built on her signature methodology, The Fitness Model Blueprint™, Michelle has

transformed thousands of women—inside and out—with evidence-based strategies that merge

mindset, muscle, and metabolic mastery.

Joan MacDonald (Fitness Icon and Mother)

At 70, Joan MacDonald was getting winded walking up a flight of stairs and now, at 74, she is doing weighted pull-ups and 200 lb hip thrusts.

This episode is sponsored by:

- Branch Basics - 15% off and free shipping on the Starter Kit when you use code DRLYON at BranchBasics.com/DRLYON

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Chapters:

0:00 - The ED Crisis: Michelle’s 15-Year Battle & Recovery

2:04 - Joan Started Lifting at 71: Debunking the Age Myth

6:16 - Pillars of Transformation: Mindset, Sleep, Food

8:52 - Finding Your "Why": Aesthetics vs. Longevity

12:01 - Why Strength Training Must Come First

14:28 - Grittiness: The Secret to Joan's Radical Success

24:54 - Hard Truths: The "Nursing Home" Speech That Changed Joan's Life

26:47 - The Transformation Container: Non-Negotiables for Success

47:03 - Disordered Eating: When to Get Expert Therapy vs. Coaching

50:11 - GLP-1s and the "Food Noise" Solution

58:12 - 3 Essential Beginner Exercises (Joan's Choices)

1:04:22 - Strength Goals: The 3 Exercises a Strong 40-Year-Old Must Master

1:10:29 - The Hip Thrust: #1 Glute Builder and Muscle Mandate

1:14:09 - Training is a Skill: How to Prevent Injury

1:19:11 - Core Strength: Why Glutes and Abs Prevent Falls

1:33:37 - Training the Individual: Why Age Doesn't Matter

1:37:29 - Nutrition Blueprint: Protein First for Satiety and Adherence

Find Michelle at:

https://www.instagram.com/yourhealthyhedonista/

http://MichelleMacdonaldOfficial.com

Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-wonder-women-official/id1677831398

Find Joan at:

https://www.instagram.com/trainwithjoan

https://www.trainwithjoanofficial.com

Find Dr. Gabrielle Lyon at:

- Instagram:@drgabriellelyon

- TikTok: @drgabriellelyon

- Facebook: facebook.com/doctorgabriellelyon

- YouTube: youtube.com/@DrGabrielleLyon

- X (Twitter): x.com/drgabriellelyon

- Apply to become a patient – https://drgabriellelyon.com/new-patient-inquiry/

- Join my weekly newsletter – https://institute-for-muscle-centric-medicine.ck.page

- Pre-order my new book - https://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1668085623...

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In this compilation episode, Dr. Gabrielle Lyon is joined by the top experts in Testosterone and men's health treatments.

You'll learn:

- The Testosterone Truth: Why aging alone doesn't drop T levels and why acquisition of conditions like obesity is the real culprit.

- The Numbers Game: Why the standard "low T" cutoff is misleading and why you must check your Free Testosterone.

- ED as a Warning: How erectile dysfunction is a sensitive marker of overall health and heart risk.

- Treatment Protocols: The efficacy of Cialis/Viagra for both erections and cardiac protection, and the risks of unchecked influencer advice on steroids.

- Lifestyle Power: The direct link between muscle mass, exercise, and sexual function—and why the penis is the "first to go" when overall health declines.

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Chapter Markers

0:00 - Testosterone is a Brain Hormone

0:40 - Debunking the Myth: Male Menopause (Andropause) Doesn't Exist

1:33 - The Dangers of Unchecked Influencer Advice on Testosterone

3:07 - Defining Testosterone Deficiency: Symptoms vs. Signs

5:10 - The Arbitrary Number: Why Guidelines Disagree on Low T

8:29 - Free Testosterone: The Most Reliable Indicator of Male Health

15:28 - TRT vs. Steroids: Defining the Line and Risks

18:59 - The Real Risks of TRT: Infertility and Hematocrit

22:36 - The Shocking Backstory: Challenging the Prostate Cancer Myth

26:40 - Erectile Dysfunction (ED) and Lifestyle Modification

29:21 - Shockwave Therapy for ED: The Science and the Cash Business

33:53 - Penile Tissue Atrophy and Venous Leak

37:25 - The Role of Muscle Mass, Sarcopenia, and Sexual Function

39:41 - The Single Best Marker for Male Health: Erectile Function

42:02 - The Science of Cialis and Viagra (PDE5 Inhibitors)

45:49 - The Viagra Story: From Heart Drug to ED Cure

50:50 - Tadalafil (Cialis) as a Triple-Threat Drug (Cardiac, Urinary, Sexual)

53:57 - The Role of Testosterone in Female Sexual Function

55:20 - Hypogonadism: Diagnosis, Treatment, and Fertility Risk

Dr. Abraham Morgentaler is an Associate Clinical Professor of Urology at Harvard Medical School and founder of Men's Health Boston. He is an internationally recognized expert in men's health, particularly known for his pioneering work in testosterone therapy. Dr. Morgentaler is credited with reversing the long-held belief that testosterone therapy causes prostate cancer and is the author of several books on men's health.

Dr. Kohler is the co-founder of the Erectile Restoration Outcomes Study (EROS) penile implant registry. In addition to his clinical and research activities, Dr. Kohler is active in education, providing mentorship to residents and fellows.

Dr. Mo Khera is Mohit Khera, M.D., M.B.A., M.P.H., a urologist and professor at Baylor College of Medicine. He is an expert in male and female sexual dysfunction and testosterone replacement therapy, and his work focuses on male infertility, sexual dysfunction, and declining testosterone levels. He is also the President of the Sexual Medicine Society of North America.

This episode is brought to you by:

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Disclaimer: The Dr. Gabrielle Lyon Podcast and YouTube are for general information purposes only and do not constitute the practice of medicine, nursing, or other professional health...

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In this fascinating episode, Dr. Gabrielle Lyon talks with neuroscientist Dr. Ben Rein, PhD (author of Why Brains Need Friends), about the science of social connection, emotion, and cognitive health. Dr. Rein, an expert in neurobiology and psychedelic research, reveals the cutting-edge studies that explain why loneliness is as damaging as smoking and how our digital world is affecting our brain's ability to connect.

They discuss the neurochemistry of love, the controversial use of MDMA in therapy, and whether AI can ever truly replace human intimacy. This conversation provides an essential look at the biological drivers of happiness, performance, and long-term brain health.

Chapter Markers:

0:00 - MDMA (Molly): The History & Therapeutic Benefits

5:59 - The Legal Status of MDMA for PTSD

6:44 - The Safety and Effectiveness of MDMA in Clinical Trials

8:29 - PTSD (The Amygdala Alarm)

9:41 - How MDMA Soothes the Amygdala to Access Memory

11:42 - Is There an Alternative to MDMA? (Ketamine's Mechanism)

13:16 - Ketamine and Neuroplasticity for Depression

15:48 - Botox and Empathy:

18:12 - The Problem of Volume: How Screens Depersonalize Interaction

19:48 - The Virtual Disengagement Hypothesis Explained

25:00 - Defining Cognitive and Emotional Empathy

29:43 - MDMA's Link to Serotonin & Social Reward

31:04 - Do SSRIs Have Pro-Social Effects?

36:10 - The Science of Likability and "Easy to Read" Faces

40:10 - Top 3 Ways to Be More Likable

49:49 - The Likability Gap: Why You Underestimate How Well-Liked You Are

56:59 - The Neurobiology of Oxytocin, Dopamine, and Serotonin

1:09:23 - The Goldilocks Zone of Empathy

1:15:58 - Narcolepsy

1:18:16 - Alcohol: Why the Neurotoxin is Bad for Brain Health

1:21:47 - Exercise and Neurogenesis

1:22:27 - Sex, Orgasm, and Oxytocin Release

1:25:06 - Oxytocin During Childbirth

Who is Ben Rein:

Dr. Ben Rein is an award-winning neuroscientist and Chief Science Officer of the Mind Science Foundation, where he supports early-career researchers in neuroscience. He earned his PhD from SUNY Buffalo and completed postdoctoral training at Stanford University, publishing over 20 peer-reviewed papers on autism, empathy, MDMA, and digital behavior. Recognized by the NIH, the Society for Neuroscience, and Sigma Xi, he also serves as a scientific advisor to more than 20 organizations. With over one million followers and 75 million video views, Dr. Rein is celebrated for making neuroscience accessible to the public and has been featured by outlets such as Good Morning America, ABC News, and PopularMechanics.

Thank you to our sponsors:

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Find Ben Rein at:

• Website: https://www.benrein.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dr.benrein/#
• TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@dr.benrein?lang=en
• Facebook: