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, leadership development and active community engagement.

Dr. Tariq discusses the challenges of navigating midlife weight gain, body image, the stories behind our eating habits. She shares her countelss experiences coaching clients through starting on Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 (GLP-1), 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.

The conversation uncovers 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.
• Sustainable health in menopause requires nutrition, movement, sleep, and mindset—not just medication.
• Each woman’s journey is unique. Coaches and providers should listen, empathize, and support women’s agency and choices.
• Empowerment means letting go of shame, focusing on strength and vitality, and seeking credible, compassionate care.
• The power in shifting from a “skinny” to a “strong” mindset and embracing resistance training, self-compassion, and self advocacy.

Contact:

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

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I would love it if you could support the show. Go into the show notes and click on the button where you read "support the show." You have the option to donate monthly, $3, 5, 8, 10. Be a loyal supporter for as long as you want with recurring fee as little of three as $3 a month, and opt out at any time. Each investment goes directly back into producing episodes with even better content, improved audio quality, and we'll go a long way in bringing great guests onto the show.

Support the show

Meet your Host:
Mary is a Licensed Menopause Champion, certified Menopause Doula, and Woman's Coaching Specialist supporting high-achieving women to embrace their transition from peri- to post-menopause.

Turn your menopause transition into a transfrmation with the Menopause Intelligence Course, an 8-module, self-paced learning journey to empower you to take agency over your health and make informed decisions with your healthcare team.

Mary also guides organizations to create a menopause-friendly workplace, helping forward-thinking organizations design policies to accommodate employees at work and foster a positive and supportive culture. Click on the link to learn more 👉🏼👉🏼 https://emmeellecoaching.com/workplace

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 beyond reprdocutive health, and its decline can have serious physiological impacts if left uncheck.

Drawing up insights from prominent researchers and authors like Dr. Lisa Mosconi, Dr. Avrum Blooming, and Dr. Stacy Sims, this episode looks at strategies such as heavy resistance training, sprint interval training, and a Mediterranean-style diet to manage hormonal shifts effectively.

Mary also introduces her Menopause Intelligence - an online learning experience aimed at empowering women through education and self-advocacy - and a free workbook offering practical tips on fitness, nutrition, and stress management.

Resources:

• Maximize Heart Health Through Nutrition with Michelle Routhenstein, Episode 43
• The Hidden Impact of Modern Wheat and 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 will get gut-friendly, hormone-balancing nutrition secrets, a powerful heavy resistance training strategy, and simple stress-reset rituals you can do in under 10 minutes a day to nurture the gut-brain axis. Start shifting belly fat at the root cause and 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 your Host:
Mary is a Licensed Menopause Champion, certified Menopause Doula, and Woman's Coaching Specialist supporting high-achieving women to embrace their transition from peri- to post-menopause.

Turn your menopause transition into a transfrmation with the Menopause Intelligence Course, an 8-module, self-paced learning journey to empower you to take agency over your health and make informed decisions with your healthcare team.

Mary also guides organizations to create a menopause-friendly workplace, helping forward-thinking organizations design policies to accommodate employees at work and foster a positive and supportive culture. Click on the link to learn more 👉🏼👉🏼 https://emmeellecoaching.com/workplace

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 over two decades of experience in women's breast health.

Originally from the Comox Valley, Sarah moved to Burnaby after high school to attend BCIT for the medical radiography technology program and graduated in 1999. She then gained extensive experience working at Burnaby Hospital, Brooke Radiology, and Mount St. Joseph Hospital, where she received her mammography training. After working in the lower mainland for two years, she returned to the Comox Valley in 2001.

Sarah shares her extensive knowledge and personal insights to demystify the process of mammograms and breast imaging. The conversation covers the significance of early screening, the different modalities available, and addresses common fears and misconceptions surrounding mammograms.

Additionally, Sarah opens up about her personal experiences with loss and healing, and how yoga has played a pivotal role in her life.

Listeners are encouraged to take proactive steps in their healthcare by getting informed and overcoming fear through education and self-advocacy.

Resources:

• For the listeners residing in British Columbia, Canada, learn more about breast screening at 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!

I would love it if you could support the show. Go into the show notes and click on the button where you read "support the show." You have the option to donate monthly, $3, 5, 8, 10. Be a loyal supporter for as long as you want with recurring fee as little of three as $3 a month, and opt out at any time. Each investment goes directly back into producing episodes with even better content, improved audio quality, and we'll go a long way in bringing great guests onto the show.

Support the show

Meet your Host:
Mary is a Licensed Menopause Champion, certified Menopause Doula, and Woman's Coaching Specialist supporting high-achieving women to embrace their transition from peri- to post-menopause.

Turn your menopause transition into a transfrmation with the Menopause Intelligence Course, an 8-module, self-paced learning journey to empower you to take agency over your health and make informed decisions with your healthcare team.

Mary also guides organizations to create a menopause-friendly workplace, helping forward-thinking organizations design policies to accommodate employees at work and foster a positive and supportive culture. Click on the link to learn more 👉🏼👉🏼 https://emmeellecoaching.com/workplace

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