Aging Powerfully with Melissa Grelo

Melissa Grelo

"Aging Powerfully with Melissa Grelo" is the podcast for every woman who wants to get the latest and best information from respected experts to build a life that is healthier, stronger and longer, no matter what age you are.

  1. 20H AGO

    80. Not Just Bad Periods: What Every Woman Needs to Know About Endometriosis With Dr. Nicholas Leyland

    If you’ve ever been told that debilitating period pain is “normal,” this episode is for you. Endometriosis affects an estimated 1 in 10 women and people assigned female at birth, yet it remains one of the most misunderstood, underdiagnosed, and undertreated conditions in women’s health. It can impact fertility, work, relationships, mental health, and overall quality of life — often for years before a diagnosis is made. Today, I sit down with one of Canada’s leading experts in women’s health, Dr. Nicholas Leyland, to cut through the myths, the confusion, and the medical gaslighting with clear, evidence-based answers. Dr. Leyland is a renowned gynecologic surgeon, researcher, educator, and incoming President of the Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada (SOGC). With decades of experience treating complex gynecologic conditions, he offers trusted insight into what endometriosis really is, how it’s treated, and how women can advocate for the care they deserve. In this episode, we discuss: What endometriosis actually is — and why it hurts so muchThe most common (and often overlooked) symptomsWho is at risk and how many Canadians are affectedWhy diagnosis is often delayed for yearsTreatment options: medications, surgery, and what actually worksWhether endometriosis is a lifelong conditionFertility considerationsBarriers to getting proper care in CanadaMidlife, menopause, and hormone therapy considerationsHealth-care inequities affecting womenHow to advocate for yourself at medical appointmentsRapid-fire myths and misconceptions Resources & Support: Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada (SOGC): sogc.orgThe Endometriosis Network Canada: endometriosisnetwork.comTalk to your primary care provider if you suspect endometriosis Tech and Audio Producer: Drew Garner  Producer: Melissa Grelo (@melissagrelo, @agingpowerfullywithmelissagrelo) AGING POWERFULLY WITH MELISSA GRELO LIVE IN CALGARY!  May 16, 2026, Hotel Arts, Calgary, Alberta Tickets available now: www.agingpowerfullywithmelissagrelo.com

    1h 2m
  2. 6D AGO

    79. World Sleep Day Special (Part 2) - “Tired but Wired: Why Women Cannot Sleep”, With Dr. Colleen Carney

    This special double episode drops in recognition of World Sleep Day — March 13th. Are you exhausted but wide awake at night? Melissa sits down with sleep expert Dr. Colleen Carney to unpack why sleep gets harder as we age, what actually works to fix it, and why so much of what we think we know about sleep is wrong. With a special focus on women in perimenopause, midlife, and menopause — this one is packed with real answers. IN THIS EPISODE: Insomnia vs. occasional poor sleep — how to tell the differenceSleep stages, how much you actually need, and why quality mattersHow hormones, stress, and anxiety disrupt sleep in midlifeWhy sleep apnea is so often missed in womenSleep's critical role in heart health, brain health, mood, and metabolismSleep medications, CBT-I, and what the science actually supportsCommon sleep myths — bustedABOUT DR. COLLEEN CARNEY: Dr. Colleen Carney is a licensed clinical psychologist, Professor of Psychology at Toronto Metropolitan University, and one of the world's leading experts in insomnia and CBT-I (Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for Insomnia). Her research has shaped international clinical guidelines for treating sleep disorders. RESOURCES: Canadian Sleep SocietyNational Sleep FoundationSleep Foundation: sleepfoundation.org Always speak with a qualified health-care provider about sleep concerns or treatment options. THIS EPISODE IS SPONSORED BY STARBUCKS CANADA PROTEIN DRINKS. Learn more at https://www.starbucks.ca/menu/drinks/protein-beverages Tech and Audio Producer: Drew Garner  Producer: Melissa Grelo (@melissagrelo, @agingpowerfullywithmelissagrelo)

    54 min
  3. MAR 12

    79. World Sleep Day Special (Part 1) - “Tired but Wired: Why Women Cannot Sleep”, With Dr. Colleen Carney

    This special double episode drops in recognition of World Sleep Day — March 13th. Are you exhausted but wide awake at night? Melissa sits down with sleep expert Dr. Colleen Carney to unpack why sleep gets harder as we age, what actually works to fix it, and why so much of what we think we know about sleep is wrong. With a special focus on women in perimenopause, midlife, and menopause — this one is packed with real answers. IN THIS EPISODE: Insomnia vs. occasional poor sleep — how to tell the differenceSleep stages, how much you actually need, and why quality mattersHow hormones, stress, and anxiety disrupt sleep in midlifeWhy sleep apnea is so often missed in womenSleep's critical role in heart health, brain health, mood, and metabolismSleep medications, CBT-I, and what the science actually supportsCommon sleep myths — bustedABOUT DR. COLLEEN CARNEY: Dr. Colleen Carney is a licensed clinical psychologist, Professor of Psychology at Toronto Metropolitan University, and one of the world's leading experts in insomnia and CBT-I (Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for Insomnia). Her research has shaped international clinical guidelines for treating sleep disorders. RESOURCES: Canadian Sleep SocietyNational Sleep FoundationSleep Foundation: sleepfoundation.org Always speak with a qualified health-care provider about sleep concerns or treatment options. THIS EPISODE IS SPONSORED BY STARBUCKS CANADA PROTEIN DRINKS. Learn more at https://www.starbucks.ca/menu/drinks/protein-beverages Tech and Audio Producer: Drew Garner  Producer: Melissa Grelo (@melissagrelo, @agingpowerfullywithmelissagrelo)

    48 min
  4. MAR 5

    78. PCOS, Fibroids & Perimenopause: How to Tell the Difference | ft. Dr. Marjorie Dixon

    Bloating, irregular periods, weight changes, mood swings — these symptoms could point to several different conditions, and getting the right answer matters. In this episode, I sit down with fertility specialist and reproductive endocrinologist Dr. Marjorie Dixon to break down two commonly misunderstood reproductive health conditions: PCOS (polycystic ovary syndrome) and uterine fibroids. We get into what each condition actually is, how they show up in the body, and — crucially — why their symptoms are so often mistaken for perimenopause. Dr. Dixon shares how clinicians distinguish between these diagnoses, what to ask your doctor, and why getting the right answer is the first step toward the right care. If you've ever wondered whether what you're experiencing is "just hormones" or something else entirely, this episode is for you. In this episode, we cover: What PCOS and fibroids are — and how they differThe overlapping symptoms that can mimic perimenopauseHow a fertility specialist approaches diagnosisWhat tests and conversations to have with your doctorWhy these conditions are underdiagnosed and what to do about it Guest: Dr. Marjorie Dixon, Fertility Specialist www.anovafertility.com  Instagram: @anovafertility  This episode is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider for personal medical guidance. Tech and Audio Producer: Drew Garner  Producer: Melissa Grelo (@melissagrelo, @agingpowerfullywithmelissagrelo) AGING POWERFULLY WITH MELISSA GRELO LIVE IN CALGARY!  May 16, 2026, Hotel Arts, Calgary, Alberta Tickets available now: www.agingpowerfullywithmelissagrelo.com

    1h 15m
  5. FEB 26

    77. Heart Smart: The Midlife Woman's Heart Health Wake-up Call With Dr. Tara Sedlak

    Heart disease doesn’t always look the way we think it does — especially in women. In this episode of Aging Powerfully with Melissa Grelo, I’m joined by cardiologist and women’s heart health expert Dr. Tara Sedlak to dismantle the biggest myths surrounding women’s cardiovascular health — and explain why so many women’s symptoms are overlooked, misunderstood, or misdiagnosed. We discuss:  why heart disease in women often looks nothing like what we’ve been taughtthe most common misconceptions about women’s heart healthwhy women are more likely to be dismissed when reporting symptomshow heart risk changes during perimenopause and menopauseconditions that disproportionately affect women, including scad and minocathe role of pregnancy, stress, inflammation, and hormones in heart diseasewhat women should ask their doctors — and how to advocate for better care This episode is empowering, eye-opening, and essential listening for women of all ages — especially those navigating midlife and beyond. Listen now, share this with the women in your life and take charge of your heart health. Resources: Women's Heart Health Clinic at VGH (@Women__Heart) Canadian Women's Heart Health Centre (@CWHHAlliance) Dilawri Cardiovascular Institute (@DilawriCVI) Episode supported by @StarbucksCanada Protein Drinks   https://www.starbucks.ca/menu/drinks/protein-beverages Tech and Audio Producer: Drew Garner  Producer: Melissa Grelo (@melissagrelo, @agingpowerfullywithmelissagrelo)

    1h 4m
  6. FEB 12

    75. Where Did My Libido Go? Understanding Women’s Desire With Dr. Lori Brotto

    Women’s desire is often misunderstood — and oversimplified. In this candid, science-backed conversation, melissa sits down with psychologist and leading sexuality researcher Dr. Lori Brotto to unpack why libido changes, especially during midlife, perimenopause, and menopause — and why that doesn’t mean something is broken. We explore the difference between desire and arousal, whether women’s sexuality is wired the same way as men’s, and why searching for a “pink pill” or quick pharmaceutical fix may miss the bigger picture. Dr. Brotto also weighs in on testosterone and libido, debunks common myths about women’s sexuality, and explains how desire can be cultivated through evidence-based approaches like mindfulness. Dr. Brotto is the author of Better Sex Through Mindfulness and one of Canada’s foremost experts in women’s sexual health. Where to find Dr. Lori Brotto: https://brottolab.med.ubc.ca/about/dr-lori-brotto/ This episode offers clarity, reassurance, and a powerful reframe for any woman who has ever wondered where her libido went — and what really matters when it comes to desire. EPISODE SPONSORED BY: @StarbucksCanada (Instagram) Protein Beverages  Website: https://www.starbucks.ca/menu/drinks/protein-beverages Tech and Audio Producer: Drew Garner  Producer: Melissa Grelo (@melissagrelo, @agingpowerfullywithmelissagrelo) For any partnership inquires, contact beverly@agingpowerfullywithmelissagrelo.com

    1h 7m
  7. FEB 5

    74. From Lab to Life (Part 2): What You Need To Know About Cancer Diagnoses, Research and Care in Canada With Dr. Lillian Siu & Dr. Miyo Yamashita

    Cancer is one of the most frightening diagnoses any of us can face — and yet, it’s also an area of medicine where progress is happening at an extraordinary pace. In honour of World Cancer Day, this episode launches a new two-part series on cancer for Aging Powerfully with Melissa Grelo. Melissa sits down with two of Canada’s leading voices — a leading cancer scientist, Dr. Lillian Siu, and a powerful advocate and CEO, Dr. Miyo Yamashita, from Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, one of the top five comprehensive cancer centres globally. Together, they break down what cancer actually is, why survival rates have improved so dramatically, where prevention and early detection truly save lives, and how cutting-edge research — from immunotherapy to liquid biopsies — is transforming outcomes for patients in Canada and around the world. This episode is science-forward, deeply human, and essential listening for anyone whose life has been touched by cancer — which, statistically, is all of us. In this episode, we discuss: What cancer is — and how it developsCancer staging and how classification has evolvedWhy there is no single “cure” for cancer — and why that’s often misunderstoodWhich cancers are now considered highly treatable or curableWhy cancer rates are rising as our population agesThe concerning rise of early-onset cancers in younger adultsLifestyle, environmental, and genetic cancer risksWhat prevention actually means — beyond headlines and fearScreening and early detection: where it saves lives and where gaps remainBreakthroughs in precision oncology, immunotherapy, and targeted treatmentsThe future of liquid biopsies and blood-based cancer detectionWhy philanthropy and research funding are essential to progressWhat gives cancer experts the most hope right no About The Guests: Dr. Lillian Siu Dr. Siu is a senior medical oncologist at Princess Margaret Cancer Centre and Professor of Medicine at the University of Toronto. She is the 2025–2026 President of the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR), the world’s largest scientific organization dedicated to advancing cancer research. Her work focuses on translating scientific discoveries into personalized cancer therapies, including precision oncology and liquid biopsy technologies. She has authored more than 400 peer-reviewed publications and was awarded ASCO’s highest honour, the David A. Karnofsky Memorial Award. In 2025, she was named one of the 100 most influential people in oncology worldwide. Dr. Miyo Yamashita Dr. Yamashita is President and CEO of the Princess Margaret Cancer Foundation, Canada’s largest cancer charity and the primary fundraising organization for Princess Margaret Cancer Centre. She leads national and global efforts to fund breakthrough research in precision medicine, immunotherapy, genomics, and patient-centred innovation. Under her leadership, the Foundation has focused on accelerating the translation of discovery science into real-world clinical impact. She has been named one of the Top 100 Oncology CEOs globally — with Princess Margaret the only Canadian institution recognized. Resources & Learn More: Princess Margaret Cancer Centre – https://www.uhn.ca/PrincessMargaretPrincess Margaret Cancer Foundation – https://thepmcf.caCancer screening & prevention in Canada – https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/chronic-diseases/cancer.htmlWorld Cancer Day – https://www.worldcancerday.org **Always speak with your health-care provider about screening, symptoms, or personal cancer risk.** Tech and Audio Producer: Drew Garner  Producer: Melissa Grelo (@melissagrelo, @agingpowerfullywithmelissagrelo) For any partnership inquires, contact beverly@agingpowerfullywithmelissagrelo.com

    34 min

Ratings & Reviews

4.3
out of 5
9 Ratings

About

"Aging Powerfully with Melissa Grelo" is the podcast for every woman who wants to get the latest and best information from respected experts to build a life that is healthier, stronger and longer, no matter what age you are.

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