Beyond The Hot Flash Podcast

Andrea

Feeling the frustrating shifts of perimenopause? You're not alone, and you're in the right place! I'm Andrea van Niekerk, your guide to navigating menopause with strength, flexibility, and calm through yoga. As a certified 200RYT yoga teacher with over 1200 hours of experience, I help women 40+ transform their journey, turning struggles into informed decisions for longevity and vibrant living. Subscribe for practical tips, inspiring yoga, and a supportive community. Let's move stronger, feel better, and thrive through midlife together. 💪🧘‍♀️ Follow Andrea van Niekerk on Instagram @yoga_with_

  1. Holding Hidden Grief? Release with breathwork — with Tabatha DeBruyn

    11/19/2025

    Holding Hidden Grief? Release with breathwork — with Tabatha DeBruyn

    Feeling overwhelmed, stuck, or finding it hard to process a loss? Grief isn't just about losing a loved one; it's the natural response to any loss, whether it’s a relationship, a job, or your former identity. But what if the key to unlocking and moving through that stored pain was as simple as your breath? In this eye-opening episode, we welcome Tabatha DeBruyn, a certified Transformational Breath Master and an expert in the world of 9D Somatic Breathwork. Tabatha shares her deeply personal journey through profound loss and explains the neurobiology of how trauma gets trapped in the body's tissues (like the hips and chest), making us feel perpetually anxious or 'on edge.' She dives into the incredible power of the Vagus nerve and how simple, conscious breathing techniques—like the "physiological sigh"—can instantly reset your nervous system, allowing you to bypass the conscious mind and access the deep, subconscious layers where true emotional healing occurs. Tabatha offers a revolutionary perspective on grief, reminding us that there is no timeline or 'right way' to mourn, only a path to release. Key Takeaways You Don't Want to Miss: * The difference between meditation and conscious, active breathwork for transformation. * How the cutting-edge 9D multi-sensory experience accelerates healing. * The exact places in your body where old emotions are physically stored. * The one simple breath you can use right now to calm panic and anxiety. * Why the "dis-ease" in your body is often unprocessed grief and how breathwork can help prevent future illness. Guest Resources & Offerings Tabatha DeBruyn, 9D Somatic Breathwork Master 🌿Website: Tabatha.online 🌿Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/TabathaDeBruyn 🌿Free Gift (7-min Routine, 9D Reset):Unlock your calm with Tabatha's free resources at tabatha.myflodesk.com 🌿Programs:Explore her "Calm Before the Holiday Storm" program or inquire about 1:1 coaching: https://tabatha.thrivecart.com/calm-before-the-holiday-storm/ 🌿Private Coaching:** https://tabatha.thrivecart.com/private-coaching/ Your host: Andrea van Niekerk 🎤Follow on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yoga_with_ands

    38 min
  2. The Truth About PCOS, Insulin, and Inositol — with RD Julie Duffy Dillon

    11/03/2025

    The Truth About PCOS, Insulin, and Inositol — with RD Julie Duffy Dillon

    In this essential episode, we sit down with Registered Dietitian and PCOS expert Julie Duffy Dillon, host of the "Find Your Food Voice" podcast, to debunk the pervasive myth that weight loss is the cure for Polycystic Ovary Syndrome.  Julie brings a compassionate, Health At Every Size (HAES) perspective, explaining how the cycle of dieting and restriction actually makes long-term insulin resistance and inflammation worse for people with PCOS. We discuss how to find food peace, stop the exhausting "food noise," and shift your focus from dieting to true body nourishment.   Key Takeaways You Can't Miss: The Diet Trap: Restriction ultimately drives higher insulin and inflammation, worsening PCOS symptoms. Julie strongly emphasizes that people with PCOS need to focus on eating regular, adequate meals (breakfast, lunch, and dinner).The "Golden Ticket" Supplement: Learn about Inositol—a B vitamin that repairs insulin receptors. Julie provides the necessary ratio and the specific twice-daily dosage needed to manage insulin and androgens.Diagnosis & Advocacy: The Rotterdam criteria allows for diagnosis without a blood draw or ultrasound. Julie shares how to talk to your doctor and what symptoms to track.Hormones & Age: We tackle the pill's role in masking symptoms and its long-term impact on insulin. Plus, we discuss what to expect as you navigate PCOS through perimenopause and menopause (hint: your cycles and estrogen may normalize for a brief period!).Self-Care: Prioritize rest! People with PCOS often require more sleep and intentional rest to manage their chronic condition effectively. Resource: Check out Julie's podcast and book, Find Your Food Voice.Find her Inositol guide & tipsTikTok: @FoodVoiceRD Connect with your host Andrea van Niekerk: ★ Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/yoga_with_ands ★YouTube: Beyond The Hot Flash Podcast 👉🏻https://youtu.be/ewPdyVdPYHk?si=kjKWcTDo9kpIubbu  ★ Get my FREE Yoga Kickstart here👉🏻https://studio.yogawithands.com/the-yoga-kickstart #PCOS #WomensHealth #IntuitiveEating #PCOSSupport #InsulinResistance #Inositol #DietCulture

    44 min
  3. STOP SURVIVING. EAT TO THRIVE. Menopause Nutrition w/ Dr. Jenn Huber (ND, RD)

    10/14/2025

    STOP SURVIVING. EAT TO THRIVE. Menopause Nutrition w/ Dr. Jenn Huber (ND, RD)

    Feeling lost, confused, and frustrated by your body in midlife? Host Andrea Van Niekerk sits down with the uniquely qualified Dr. Jenn Huber—a Naturopathic Doctor AND Registered Dietitian—to cut through the noise on menopause nutrition, energy, and body change. Dr. Huber shares her personal journey, revealing that when Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) didn't provide relief, she developed a science-backed, compassionate approach to managing severe symptoms. She offers a roadmap to help you regain agency and energy. In this episode, you will learn: Dr. Huber's Breakthrough: How she used phytoestrogens to dramatically reduce hot flashes after finding no relief with HRT.The optimal protein target for women over 50 (1.0 to 1.2 grams per kilogram) and why it's crucial.The actual physiological reason behind brain fog and anxiety (it’s "rewiring, not retiring"!).Dr. Huber's 5 Key Ingredients for thriving: Soy/Phytoestrogens, Fiber, Protein, Calcium (for bone health), and Omega-3 Fats.Why fatigue and 3 AM waking are not just "part of aging" and how to check for underlying deficiencies. Guest: Dr. Jenn Huber, Author of Eat to Thrive During Menopause and Host of the Midlife Feast Podcast. 🔗 Connect with Dr. Jenn Huber: Book: Eat to Thrive During Menopause: hachettebookgroup.com/landing-page/eat-to-thrive-during-menopause-preorder-campaign Podcast: Midlife Feast & Links: menopausenutritionist.ca/links Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/menopause.nutritionist Your Host: Andrea van Niekerk Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yoga_with_ands Website & Blog: https://www.yogawithands.com YouTube - Beyond The Hot Flash Playlist: https://youtu.be/0edJftIPhUg?si=FNvXGNgowpMGy8Ay #MenopauseNutrition #HRTAlternatives #Phytoestrogens #DrJennHuber #HotFlashPodcast #PerimenopauseSymptoms #MidlifeHealth #WomensNutrition #BrainFogSolution

    57 min
  4. HRT Over 60 - The Truth about Later-Life Hormone Therapy (with Dr. Jordan Emont)

    10/08/2025

    HRT Over 60 - The Truth about Later-Life Hormone Therapy (with Dr. Jordan Emont)

    STOP! Have you been told you're "too old" to start or continue Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT)? It's time to set the record straight and end the decades of dismissal women face in midlife. In this essential episode, Andrea is joined by the highly respected OBGYN and passionate advocate, Dr. Jordan Emont, to cut through the noise on later-life HRT (for women 60+ and 65+). We dive into the controversial "10-year rule," clarify the critical safety differences between oral and transdermal estrogen, and reveal the compelling data that supports using hormones for longevity and disease prevention, even years after menopause. The Myth: Where the arbitrary "10-year cutoff" for HRT originated and why modern medicine now recognizes it as outdated. Safety Data: The crucial difference between oral vs. transdermal estrogen and clot risk (why patches are the safer choice for late starts). Later-Life Benefits: Why HRT remains one of the best tools for osteoporosis prevention and reducing fracture risk, regardless of your age. Longevity: Data indicating that women who continue HRT beyond 65 have better long-term health outcomes. Testosterone: The benefits of adding testosterone for energy, cognitive function, and muscle mass in later life. The Systemic Problem: Dr. Emont’s story about a pharmacist who gave his patient conflicting, fear-based advice. Final Non-Negotiable Tip: Dr. Emont’s ultimate, safest form of estrogen every woman should consider for long-term vaginal and urinary tract health. Follow @DrEmont to stay updated on the latest facts and advocacy efforts in women's health! Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drjordanemont Website/Practice: https://www.drjordanemont.com Watch the full video interview on YouTube: https://youtu.be/JeM-j1Sf_-M Yoga With Ands (YWA) Studio: [Link to YWA Website/Studio] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yoga_with_andsFREE Yoga Kickstart Guide (build bone density, muscle mass and find calm through menopause) : https://studio.yogawithands.com/the-yoga-kickstart #HRTOver60 #LateStartHRT #DrJordanEmont #MenopauseLongevity #HRTMyths #MenopauseSupport #HRTAfter60 #Osteoporosis #TestosteroneForWomen #WomensHealthMatters

    43 min
  5. The HRT Dilemma: Answers for Women With Cancer

    09/22/2025

    The HRT Dilemma: Answers for Women With Cancer

    In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Alison MacBeth, a breast specialty doctor and a British Menopause Society accredited menopause specialist, to discuss a topic often considered taboo: hormone replacement therapy (HRT) for breast cancer survivors. Dr. MacBeth shares her journey from family physician to a trailblazer in this field. We explore the traditional thinking behind why HRT is deemed "off-limits" for breast cancer patients, including a deep dive into the historical "Habits" and "Stockholm" trials. This conversation is a must-listen for anyone seeking to understand the latest evidence on HRT, the importance of shared decision-making with your doctor, and the difference between various types of HRT, including the exciting new data on Duavee from the PROMISE Study. Dr. MacBeth also provides invaluable advice on managing debilitating menopause symptoms and the critical role of vaginal estrogen. Show Notes: Recommended Read: Navigating Menopause After Cancer - available on Amazon, by Danni Binnington with input from Dr MacbethMenopause and Cancer Charity: Learn more about this invaluable resource at https://www.menopauseandcancer.org.The Menopause Society: Find a provider in the US at https://www.menopause.org.Canadian Menopause Society: Information and resources for women in Canada at https://www.google.com/search?q=https://www.menopause.ca.British Menopause Society: Resources for the UK at https://thebms.org.uk. #HRT #HormoneReplacementTherapy #BreastCancer #Menopause #MenopauseSymptoms #Estrogen #Oestrogen #Progesterone #Duavee #Tamoxifen #AromataseInhibitors #Urosepsis #VaginalDryness #TheMenopauseSociety #BreastCancerSurvivor #DrAlisonMacBeth #WomensHealth #Oncology #CancerTreatment #InformedChoice

    39 min

About

Feeling the frustrating shifts of perimenopause? You're not alone, and you're in the right place! I'm Andrea van Niekerk, your guide to navigating menopause with strength, flexibility, and calm through yoga. As a certified 200RYT yoga teacher with over 1200 hours of experience, I help women 40+ transform their journey, turning struggles into informed decisions for longevity and vibrant living. Subscribe for practical tips, inspiring yoga, and a supportive community. Let's move stronger, feel better, and thrive through midlife together. 💪🧘‍♀️ Follow Andrea van Niekerk on Instagram @yoga_with_