HRT Saved My Life (and how you can get your's back too!)
Menopause doesn’t care how fit you used to be.
I was doing everything “right.”
✅ Eating clean
✅ Lifting weights
✅ A former fitness competitor with all the discipline in the world
And still...
I was gaining weight.
Couldn’t sleep.
Hot flashes, bloating, anxiety.
Disconnected from my body.
I felt like I was slipping away.
No one talks about how brutal this season can be.
They tell us to just deal with it.
To accept it as part of aging.
But I wasn’t ready to give up on myself — and neither should you.
What Changed Everything for Me?
One conversation with a friend.
She asked if I’d ever had my hormones tested. Not the quick TSH check at the doctor’s office — a full panel. That moment lit the fire.
I found a functional doctor (and you should too).
Got my progesterone, estradiol, testosterone, thyroid, and DHEA tested.
Finally, someone saw what I felt.
👉 My thyroid was under-active
👉 My testosterone was low
👉 My body wasn’t “fine” — it was fighting
I started bioidentical hormone replacement therapy (BHRT).
And within weeks, I felt like me again.
🔥 My energy came back
🔥 My workouts started working
🔥 My sleep improved
🔥 I was no longer ruled by mood swings or exhaustion
So, What Is HRT?
HRT stands for hormone replacement therapy. Specifically: replenishing the hormones your body naturally stops producing as you enter peri and post-menopause.
This can include:
Estrogen
Progesterone
Testosterone
DHEA (sometimes)
Thyroid support if needed
Most women over 40 are often told they’re “fine” when doctors look at labs through the lens of disease, not optimization.
But there’s a difference between being “normal” and feeling like YOURSELF again.
What HRT Is NOT
Let me clear up some common misconceptions:
🚫 It’s not steroids
🚫 It’s not a magic pill
🚫 It’s not unsafe when done correctly
🚫 It’s not “cheating” or “taking the easy way”
The truth? HRT is about giving your body what it’s no longer producing so you can thrive.
Dr. Mary Claire Haver — a leading voice in menopause care — says it best:
“Replacing hormones is not about reversing aging. It’s about improving quality of life.”
And that’s what it did for me.
But What If You’re Not Ready for HRT?
That’s okay.
This isn’t a sales pitch — it’s about knowing your options.
You can still support your hormones naturally by:
Strength training 3–4x per week
Eating enough protein and healthy fats
Prioritizing quality sleep
Managing blood sugar and cortisol
Reducing alcohol and ultra-processed food
Getting your gut health in check
The key is creating a body that supports balance, no matter the path you choose.
HRT Isn’t the Only Answer — It’s Part of the Puzzle
Hormone replacement therapy changed my life — but HRT alone isn’t enough.
If you’re taking hormones but still skipping strength training, not prioritizing recovery, or living off salads and snacks… you’re going to keep spinning your wheels.
Here’s what actually works:
💪 Muscle is the Metabolic Anchor
You can’t out-supplement a body with no muscle.
And as estrogen declines, muscle mass becomes your secret weapon for better metabolism, bone health, blood sugar control, and fat loss.
I’m not talking about cardio or circuit classes.
I’m talking real strength training — progressive overload with intention.
Your training has to change after 40.
You’re not 25 anymore, and that’s not a bad thing — it just means training smarter, not harder.
🍽️ Nutrition That Supports Hormones (Not Triggers Inflammation)
This is where most women mess up.
You can be in a calorie deficit and still be inflamed, bloated, and exhausted.
Why?
Because you're not eating the right foods.
You need to be tracking more than just macros — you need to know where those macros are coming from.
Here’s what to focus on:
✅ High-quality protein (100–140g/day depending on goals)
✅ Anti-inflammatory fats (olive oil, avocado, omega-3s)
✅ Fiber-rich carbs to support gut health
❌ Cut back the sugar, processed foods, alcohol
❌ Stop overdoing caffeine — it spikes cortisol
❌ Mindless snacking adds stress to your system
It’s not about being “perfect” — it’s about being strategic.
The Truth Is…
HRT opened the door — but building muscle and reducing inflammation is what made the results stick.
It’s the daily structure of lifting, eating with intention, managing stress, and honoring recovery that pulled me out of the hole.
You don’t have to do everything at once.
But you do have to stop ignoring the truth:
➡️ This isn’t a diet phase.
➡️ It’s a full-body lifestyle reset.
➡️ And it’s the best gift you’ll ever give yourself.
Want to Know What to Test?
If you’re tired of being dismissed…
If your labs say “normal” but you feel like a stranger in your own skin…
I created a free Hormone Lab Panel Checklist that outlines exactly what to ask for — and what most general practitioners miss.
👉 https://api.leadconnectorhq.com/widget/form/EmYDu95dT1Ymtxx68PnO
Whether you choose BHRT or not — the point is: You deserve to know your body.
Don’t let anyone tell you this is just what happens “after 40.”
You’re not broken.
You’re not crazy.
You’re not lazy.
You’re in a new season — and it requires a new level of support.
I’m not here to push a path. I’m here to give you the permission and power to CHOOSE.
Let’s stop suffering in silence.
Let’s start leading with strength — and science.
