Body Freedom with Michele Scarlet

Michele Scarlet
  • 5.0 (2)
  • Health & Fitness
  • Updated Weekly

If your doctor’s wellness advice actually worked for women over 40, you wouldn’t be here. I’m Michele Scarlet; Functional Medicine Practitioner specializing in women’s health, metabolic function, and hormone regulation in midlife. I don’t manage symptoms or normalize fatigue, brain fog, weight gain, or declining health as “just getting older.” On this podcast, I break down what’s actually happening inside the female body after 40; from hormones and metabolism to stress, detoxification, weight loss, and longevity. New Episodes Weekly

  1. 3d ago

    Body Image After 40: How 2000s Diet Culture Still Affects Women

    What did growing up in early-2000s diet culture teach us about weight, food, exercise, and our bodies? And how much of it are we still carrying with us after 40? In this deeply personal episode of Body Freedom, Michele Scarlet looks back at more than 25 years of body image, weight loss, food rules, exercise, and the pressure to be thin. It starts in 1999, with one of the first comments Michele remembers someone making about her body. From there, she looks back at what it was like becoming a teenage girl in the early 2000s, when low-rise jeans were everywhere, cellulite and stretch marks were treated like problems to fix, food was “good” or “bad,” and being told you looked thin could feel like the ultimate compliment. But this conversation was triggered by something happening right now. After Michele posted a video about women’s bodies that reached more than 2.3 million views, she watched thousands of people debate, defend, criticize, and judge the women in the video. And then she had an uncomfortable realization: She was participating in it too. This episode explores how easily women can learn to see their bodies through other people’s eyes, and how those beliefs can follow us into adulthood, motherhood, our careers, and even the way we look at other women. Michele also shares her own history with eating less, exercising to “make up” for food, being praised for looking thin, and eventually feeling like her body was part of her credibility as a health and fitness professional. But this is NOT a conversation about giving up on weight loss, pretending appearance doesn’t matter, or believing you have to love every inch of your body. Michele still wants to be lean. She wants muscle. She likes feeling strong, athletic, healthy, and confident in how she looks. The difference? She stopped confusing her preferences with her worth. Because you can want to lose 20 pounds without hating yourself first. You can want stronger legs without believing your current body is wrong. You can care about how you look without making your appearance your value. And you can have body goals without allowing your body to become a full-time project. Body Freedom isn’t loving everything about your body. It’s knowing none of it determines your worth. CHAPTERS 00:00 What Does Body Freedom Actually Mean? 01:01 How Body Comments Shape Your Body Image 03:07 Why We’re Still Judging Women’s Bodies 06:57 How 2000s Diet Culture Changed Body Image 12:11 When Healthy Eating and Exercise Become Control 17:12 Can You Want Weight Loss and Still Love Your Body? 21:31 What Is Body Freedom? CAN’T STOP THINKING ABOUT FOOD? 👀 Before you decide you need more willpower, another diet, or that a GLP-1 is your only option, start here. I put together my FREE Food Noise Guide + 7-Day High-Protein Meal Plan for women over 40. 👉 GET THE FREE GUIDE + MEAL PLAN: https://michelescarlet.com/foodnoise Just want the supplement? Crave Support is the one supplement I keep coming back to for extra support around cravings, appetite and healthy blood sugar. Get 10% off through my link. No code needed. 👉 GET CRAVE SUPPORT 10% OFF: https://justingredients.com/MICHELE10 DISCLAIMER This podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease or medical condition. Nothing discussed in this episode should be considered medical advice or a substitute for individualized care from a qualified healthcare professional. Always speak with your healthcare provider before making changes to your diet, supplements, medications, exercise routine, or health plan.

  2. Sep 24

    GLP-1s & Peptides for Women: What Actually Works for Weight Loss, Metabolism & Muscle

    What if the answer to weight loss after 40 isn’t simply eating less and exercising more? In this powerful conversation, Michele Scarlet sits down with peptide and wellness coach Stephanie Gambetta to explore GLP-1s, peptides, metabolism, muscle building, nutrition, insulin resistance, and the foundational habits that can change how women approach their health. Stephanie shares her personal journey from years of intense running and cardio to discovering the importance of strength training, recovery, nourishment, and listening to her body. After a major knee injury forced her to slow down, she began approaching fitness and metabolic health differently and ultimately became deeply involved in peptide education. Pasted markdown Together, Michele and Stephanie discuss why women in their 40s and 50s may need a different approach to weight loss, body composition, metabolism, and exercise, especially during perimenopause and menopause. They challenge the idea that working harder, eating less, and constantly trying to “burn off” food is the answer, while highlighting protein, progressive strength training, sleep, hydration, recovery, and adequate nourishment as important foundations. Pasted markdown The conversation also takes a deep dive into GLP-1s and peptides, including microdosing, food noise, insulin resistance, gut health, healing peptides, and why these tools should not be treated as quick fixes or one-size-fits-all solutions. Michele and Stephanie discuss the importance of individualized protocols, appropriate education, foundational health, and understanding when these tools may or may not be appropriate. Pasted markdown Pasted markdown They also explore why excessive reliance on wearables, calorie counting, supplements, social media, and external health data can disconnect women from their own bodies. Most importantly, this episode is about building, not punishing your body. If you’re interested in women’s health, weight loss after 40, metabolic health, GLP-1s, peptides, hormone health, strength training, muscle building, or improving body composition, this conversation offers a deeper look at why sustainable progress requires more than a quick fix. Can’t stop thinking about food? 👀 Before you decide you need more willpower, another diet, or that a GLP-1 is your only option, start here. I put together my FREE Food Noise Guide + 7-Day High-Protein Meal Plan for women over 40. 👉 GET THE FREE GUIDE + MEAL PLAN: https://michelescarlet.com/foodnoise Just want the supplement? Crave Support is the one supplement I keep coming back to for extra support around cravings, appetite and healthy blood sugar. Get 10% off through my link. No code needed. 👉 GET CRAVE SUPPORT 10% OFF: https://justingredients.com/MICHELE10?q=crave-support ⚠️ DISCLAIMER This content is for education only and is not medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider before making changes. 🔗 IMPORTANT LINKS: Subscribe to Michele Scarlet on YOUTUBE for more expert episodes on hormones, metabolism, and fat loss after 40. Chapters 00:00 Stephanie’s Story: When Exercise Became Too Much 03:41 How Peptides Changed Her Health Journey 05:20 Why Women Need to Train Differently After 40 06:59 Perimenopause, Metabolism & Exercise 08:37 Stop Exercising to “Burn Off” Your Food 11:27 What Happened When Stephanie Stopped Doing So Much Cardio 12:43 Are We Too Obsessed With Health Data? 13:47 GLP-1s, Food Noise & Insulin Resistance 14:31 The Case for Microdosing GLP-1s 16:02 Build the Foundation Before Adding the Tools 17:41 Protein, Muscle, Sleep & Recovery 18:09 When Lab Testing Becomes Too Much 20:02 The Simplest Way to Eat More Protein 22:04 The Wild West of Peptides & Social Media 23:11 Why Peptides Aren’t One-Size-Fits-All 25:23 The GLP-1 Conversation Parents Need to Hear 26:51 Peptides & Gut Health 29:13 Our Obsession With Quick Fixes 30:25 Why “Low and Slow” Matters 32:39 Who Should Avoid Peptides? 34:29 Women Need to EAT 36:17 Why Muscle Matters More After 40 38:42 Health Isn’t a Six-Month Project

  3. Sep 17

    Has Wellness Gone Too Far? When Health Optimization Becomes Obsession

    What if trying to become healthier is actually making your life smaller? In this powerful conversation, Michele Scarlet and Sarah Ball take an honest look at the modern wellness industry and ask whether the constant pursuit of better health can sometimes turn into obsession, fear, perfectionism, and consumerism. From avoiding seed oils and tracking glucose to worrying about cortisol, filtering water, buying organic, taking supplements, monitoring sleep scores, testing hormones, studying toxins, and constantly searching for the next thing to fix, women are surrounded by an endless stream of health advice. But where does healthy awareness end and over-optimization begin? Michele and Sarah discuss women over 40 health, hormone health, perimenopause, functional medicine, gut health, food sensitivities, wellness culture, health optimization, and self-trust while challenging the black-and-white thinking that dominates so much online health content. They also explore why women can become disconnected from their own intuition and start giving their power to lab results, wearable data, influencers, doctors, diets, supplements, and wellness programs. The conversation doesn’t dismiss testing or functional medicine. Instead, Michele and Sarah explain that there can be a season for data, testing, and healing, but the goal should ultimately be learning how to understand and trust your body rather than endlessly searching for something else to fix. They also unpack the connection between perimenopause and wellness culture, including the growing pressure to “prepare” for perimenopause and the danger of treating every symptom as something that must be optimized or controlled. Most importantly, this episode asks a deeper question: What does healthy actually mean for you and when is enough enough? If you’re tired of wellness noise, information overload, endless health rules, or feeling like you need to do more to finally be healthy, this women’s health podcast conversation offers a refreshing invitation to live in the gray, develop discernment, and create a healthier relationship with your body and your life. Can’t stop thinking about food? 👀 Before you decide you need more willpower, another diet, or that a GLP-1 is your only option, start here. I put together my FREE Food Noise Guide + 7-Day High-Protein Meal Plan for women over 40. 👉 GET THE FREE GUIDE + MEAL PLAN: https://michelescarlet.com/foodnoise Just want the supplement? Crave Support is the one supplement I keep coming back to for extra support around cravings, appetite and healthy blood sugar. Get 10% off through my link. No code needed. 👉 GET CRAVE SUPPORT 10% OFF: https://justingredients.com/MICHELE10?q=crave-support . . . . 00:00 Is the Wellness Industry Making Us Less Healthy? 03:01 Can Trying to Be Healthy Become an Obsession? 05:48 Are Seed Oils and Food Sensitivities Really That Bad? 09:01 How to Stop Obsessing Over Food and Eating Perfectly 11:54 How to Trust Your Body and Your Intuition Again 15:10 Why Women Stop Trusting Their Own Bodies 18:03 Are Health Trackers and Lab Tests Actually Helpful? 21:09 Can You Do Too Much Functional Medicine Testing? 27:06 Can Trying to Optimize Your Health Make You Less Healthy? 30:23 Why High-Achieving Women Obsess Over Health and Weight Loss 35:57 Does Perimenopause Really Have to Be This Hard? 39:54 Is the Wellness Industry Profiting From Women's Insecurities? 42:39 What Actually Matters Most for Your Health? 49:29 How Do You Know When Your Health Journey Has Gone Too Far?   ⚠️ DISCLAIMER This content is for education only and is not medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider before making changes. 🔗 IMPORTANT LINKS: Subscribe to Michele Scarlet on YOUTUBE for more expert episodes on hormones, metabolism, and fat loss after 40.

  4. Sep 10

    HRT Weight Gain: Why It May Not Be Your Hormone Therapy

    What if the weight gain you noticed after starting HRT isn’t actually being caused by your hormone therapy? In this episode, Michele Scarlet shares the story of a woman in her 40s who gained 15 pounds around her midsection within six weeks of starting HRT. She was bloated, constipated, felt puffy, noticed food sensitivities, and suddenly felt different in her body. It would have been easy to assume that HRT was the problem but Michele looked deeper. This conversation explores HRT weight gain, perimenopause weight gain, hormonal changes, gut health, constipation, cortisol, chronic stress, and weight loss after 40 women. Michele explains why your hormones and gut are not completely separate systems and why digestion, bowel movements, bloating, and the body’s ability to process and eliminate estrogen deserve attention when you are trying to understand changes in your body. She also takes a closer look at cortisol and chronic stress, challenging the idea that cortisol is simply something women need to “lower.” Instead, she discusses the importance of a healthy cortisol pattern and what can happen when a woman has spent years pushing through stress, tracking everything, eating less, exercising more, and constantly trying to force women to lose fat after 40. Most importantly, this episode challenges the idea that women have to choose between feeling better on HRT and losing weight. Michele shares how, in this particular client’s case, focusing on gut function, movement, and the body’s stress response while continuing HRT was followed by a 16-pound weight loss over three months, while the improvements she experienced from HRT remained. If you’re searching for answers about hormonal weight gain, women over 40 health, hormone imbalance women, HRT and weight gain, or why women over 40 can’t lose weight, this conversation offers a different way to look at what may be happening inside your body. This is a women's health podcast, hormone health podcast, and metabolism podcast conversation about looking beyond one symptom and understanding the whole woman. Can’t stop thinking about food? 👀 Before you decide you need more willpower, another diet, or that a GLP-1 is your only option, start here. I put together my FREE Food Noise Guide + 7-Day High-Protein Meal Plan for women over 40. 👉 GET THE FREE GUIDE + MEAL PLAN: https://michelescarlet.com/foodnoise Just want the supplement? Crave Support is the one supplement I keep coming back to for extra support around cravings, appetite and healthy blood sugar. Get 10% off through my link. No code needed. 👉 GET CRAVE SUPPORT 10% OFF: https://justingredients.com/MICHELE10?q=crave-support ⚠️ DISCLAIMER This content is for education only and is not medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider before making changes. 🔗 IMPORTANT LINKS: Subscribe to Michele Scarlet on YOUTUBE for more expert episodes on hormones, metabolism, and fat loss after 40.

  5. Sep 3

    Should You Take a GLP-1? What Women Over 40 Need to Know

    Are GLP-1 medications the right tool for weight loss after 40 or are we missing what your body actually needs? In this candid episode of the Body Freedom Podcast, Michele Scarlet breaks down the increasingly confusing conversation around GLP-1 medications, perimenopause and weight loss resistance, including why some women see incredible results, why others don't, and why some women regain weight after stopping. For women navigating perimenopause weight gain, hormonal changes, insulin resistance, slow metabolism, thyroid issues, and weight loss resistance, it can feel like everything that worked before suddenly stops working. Michele explains why the metabolic environment can change during midlife and why factors such as insulin, blood sugar, sleep, muscle mass, protein intake, stress, gut health, and thyroid function all deserve consideration. Michele explores when a GLP-1 may potentially be a useful tool and when it may not be the right place to start. She discusses GLP-1s for weight loss, insulin sensitivity, appetite suppression, gastric emptying, muscle preservation, metabolic health, and the importance of building a strong foundation alongside medication. You’ll also hear an important conversation about GLP-1 dosing and “microdosing,” why individualized guidance matters, the risks of sourcing medications from questionable providers or online sources, and why more medication does not automatically mean better results. Most importantly, Michele challenges the idea that GLP-1s are either “magic” or “cheating.” Instead, she explains why they should be viewed as a tool that may amplify an appropriate health strategy not replace nutrition, strength training, recovery, sleep, and foundational metabolic health. If you're wondering why you can't lose weight after 40, why you're experiencing hormonal weight gain, how insulin resistance affects weight loss, or whether a GLP-1 makes sense for your body, this episode will help you ask better questions before making that decision. Because the goal isn't simply to get smaller. The goal is to become metabolically healthier while building results that can last.   🔥 Can’t stop thinking about food? 👀 Before you decide you need more willpower, another diet, or that a GLP-1 is your only option, start here. I put together my FREE Food Noise Guide + 7-Day High-Protein Meal Plan for women over 40. 👉 GET THE FREE GUIDE + MEAL PLAN: https://michelescarlet.com/foodnoise Just want the supplement? Crave Support is the one supplement I keep coming back to for extra support around cravings, appetite and healthy blood sugar. Get 10% off through my link. No code needed. 👉 GET CRAVE SUPPORT 10% OFF: https://justingredients.com/MICHELE10?q=crave-support   ⚠️ DISCLAIMER This content is for education only and is not medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider before making changes. 🔗 IMPORTANT LINKS: Subscribe to Michele Scarlet on YOUTUBE for more expert episodes on hormones, metabolism, and fat loss after 40.

  6. Aug 27

    Biohacking: What Actually Works? The Truth About CGMs, Peptides, Cold Plunges & More

    What if the wellness trend you’re following isn’t actually what your body needs? In this candid, no-BS episode of the Body Freedom Podcast, Michele Scarlet is joined by Bria Gadd to question the growing obsession with biohacking and wellness optimization and explore what actually deserves your time, money, and attention. From AG1 and greens powders to continuous glucose monitors (CGMs), peptides, GLP-1 medications, PEMF and grounding mats, cold plunges, and wearable health trackers, Michele and Bria break down where these tools may be useful, where they can become unnecessary, and when health tracking can actually disconnect you from your own body. They discuss why biohacking should support-not replace-the foundations of health: nutrition, protein, fiber, hydration, movement, quality sleep, gut health, and understanding your individual biology. The conversation also explores the potential downside of becoming obsessed with blood sugar readings, HRV, sleep scores, step counts, and other health metrics. Michele and Bria take a closer look at CGMs, peptides, and GLP-1 medications, emphasizing the importance of testing before guessing and understanding whether a particular intervention is appropriate for your body before using it. They also discuss why powerful tools can create problems when they are used without addressing underlying health issues. You’ll also hear their honest perspectives on cold plunging, PEMF mats, EMF protection, greens powders, and wearable technology, including when these trends may be helpful and when simpler approaches may make more sense. At the heart of the conversation is a bigger question: Are we actually becoming healthier, or are we becoming more obsessed with optimizing ourselves? For anyone interested in biohacking, midlife health, metabolic health, gut health, nervous system health, wellness trends, functional health, and body freedom, this episode offers a refreshing reminder to stop chasing every new health hack and start listening to your own body. Because the ultimate health hack may not be another product, device, or protocol. It may be learning to trust yourself. Can’t stop thinking about food? 👀 Before you decide you need more willpower, another diet, or that a GLP-1 is your only option, start here. I put together my FREE Food Noise Guide + 7-Day High-Protein Meal Plan for women over 40. 👉 GET THE FREE GUIDE + MEAL PLAN: https://michelescarlet.com/foodnoise Just want the supplement? Crave Support is the one supplement I keep coming back to for extra support around cravings, appetite and healthy blood sugar. Get 10% off through my link. No code needed. 👉 GET CRAVE SUPPORT 10% OFF: https://justingredients.com/MICHELE10?q=crave-support       ⚠️ DISCLAIMER This content is for education only and is not medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider before making changes. 🔗 IMPORTANT LINKS: Subscribe to Michele Scarlet on YOUTUBE for more expert episodes on hormones, metabolism, and fat loss after 40.

  7. Aug 20

    Why You Feel Anxious | The Gut, Thyroid & Metabolic Health Connection

    What if the anxiety you feel every day isn't simply “who you are” and your body may be part of the story? In this deeply personal episode of the Body Freedom Podcast, Michele Scarlet explores the kind of low-grade anxiety many women quietly normalize: constantly overthinking, planning ahead, worrying about sleep, replaying to-do lists, feeling on edge, and never quite switching off even while successfully managing work, family, relationships, and everyday life. Michele shares her own experience with anxiety alongside bloating, constipation, insomnia, food sensitivities, fatigue, inflammation, weight gain, hormonal changes, and chronic stress, and explains why she began looking beyond mental health alone to understand what was happening inside her body. The conversation takes a closer look at the gut-brain connection, thyroid health, digestion, sleep, nutrition, caffeine, alcohol, blood sugar, protein intake, and movement and how these factors may influence how your body feels. Rather than claiming that gut health or thyroid problems cause anxiety, Michele explains why persistent physical symptoms deserve attention instead of being dismissed or simply labeled as personality traits. You'll also learn practical ways to turn down the volume on anxiety, including eating enough, prioritizing protein, protecting sleep, being mindful of caffeine, moving your body, getting outside, and collecting your own seven-day data before making major changes. For women navigating women's health, metabolic health, gut health, thyroid symptoms, hormone health, weight changes, or chronic stress, this episode offers a grounded reminder: you don't have to optimize every uncomfortable emotion away. Sometimes the goal isn't to never feel anxious again. It's to understand your body well enough to know when something needs your attention and when you can simply feel the feeling and keep living your life. 🔥 $15,000 IN SCHOLARSHIPS: 90 DAY METABOLISM RESET If you’re doing everything “right” but your body still isn’t responding, stop guessing and let’s look under the hood. I’m giving away $15,000 in scholarships to my 90 Day Metabolism Reset, where we look at your metabolism, hormones, thyroid, gut, nutrition, training, sleep and what may actually be standing between you and lasting results. Applications close September 7th. We start September 14th. 👉 Apply now: https://www.michelescarlet.com/scholarship We’re starting September 14th. With or without you.     ⚠️ DISCLAIMER This content is for education only and is not medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider before making changes. 🔗 IMPORTANT LINKS: Subscribe to Michele Scarlet on YOUTUBE for more expert episodes on hormones, metabolism, and fat loss after 40.

  8. Aug 13

    The Missing Piece of Metabolic Health | Learning to Trust Your Body with Dr. Doug Lucas

    What if the missing piece of metabolic health isn't another diet, but learning to trust your own body? In this powerful conversation, Michele Scarlet is joined by orthopedic surgeon turned functional medicine physician Dr. Doug Lucas to challenge some of the biggest assumptions about health, metabolism, and chronic disease. Together, they explore why metabolic health is far more complex than calories, blood sugar, or the number on the scale, and why true healing begins with understanding your unique biology. Dr. Doug shares his journey from conventional orthopedic surgery to functional medicine after witnessing firsthand how patients were following medical advice yet continued getting sicker. Their conversation dives into bio-individuality, insulin resistance, genetics, chronic stress, cortisol, osteoporosis, diabetes, body composition, GLP-1 medications, and why no single nutrition plan works for everyone. Michele and Dr. Doug also explore a deeper question: Why have so many women stopped trusting their own bodies? They discuss how wellness culture, societal conditioning, and constant health misinformation can disconnect women from their intuition, making it harder to recognize what their bodies truly need. Instead of chasing every new trend, they explain why listening to your body's signals may be one of the most powerful foundations for long-term health. If you've struggled with weight loss after 40, hormone imbalance, slow metabolism, perimenopause, gut health, thyroid issues, or simply feel overwhelmed by conflicting health advice, this episode offers a refreshing, evidence-informed perspective rooted in functional medicine, not fear or quick fixes. Whether you're focused on improving your metabolic health, supporting women over 40 health, balancing hormones naturally, or building a healthier relationship with your body, this conversation will encourage you to think differently, ask better questions, and reconnect with the wisdom your body has been giving you all along. Because better health doesn't start with following someone else's body. It starts with understanding your own. Can’t stop thinking about food? 👀 Before you decide you need more willpower, another diet, or that a GLP-1 is your only option, start here. I put together my FREE Food Noise Guide + 7-Day High-Protein Meal Plan for women over 40. 👉 GET THE FREE GUIDE + MEAL PLAN: https://michelescarlet.com/foodnoise Just want the supplement? Crave Support is the one supplement I keep coming back to for extra support around cravings, appetite and healthy blood sugar. Get 10% off through my link. No code needed. 👉 GET CRAVE SUPPORT 10% OFF: https://justingredients.com/MICHELE10?q=crave-support ⚠️ DISCLAIMER This content is for education only and is not medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider before making changes. 🔗 IMPORTANT LINKS: Subscribe to Michele Scarlet on YOUTUBE for more expert episodes on hormones, metabolism, and fat loss after 40.

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If your doctor’s wellness advice actually worked for women over 40, you wouldn’t be here. I’m Michele Scarlet; Functional Medicine Practitioner specializing in women’s health, metabolic function, and hormone regulation in midlife. I don’t manage symptoms or normalize fatigue, brain fog, weight gain, or declining health as “just getting older.” On this podcast, I break down what’s actually happening inside the female body after 40; from hormones and metabolism to stress, detoxification, weight loss, and longevity. New Episodes Weekly

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