The Elevated Woman's Podcast

Aderonke Akindipe, DNP, MBA, APRN, NP-C
  • 5.0 (7)
  • Nutrition

For high-performing women who are exhausted by weight gain, hormonal chaos, and vanishing energy — this is your reset. I’m Dr. Ade Akindipe, a DNP, obesity + hormone specialist, and health coach. On this show, we demystify metabolism, gut health, hormone balance, longevity, and the root-cause mindset behind lasting transformation. If you’re ready to stop fighting your body and start living with more clarity, energy, and confidence — this is your space.

  1. Oct 20

    Am I Losing My Mind — or Is This Perimenopause?

    Have you ever lost a word mid-sentence, one you’ve said a thousand times, and it just... vanished? You laugh it off in the moment, but on the drive home you’re wondering what’s actually happening to you. In this episode, Dr. Ade Akindipe, DNP, breaks down why up to two-thirds of women experience brain fog in perimenopause, how fluctuating estrogen and progesterone affect serotonin, dopamine, and GABA, and why these symptoms so often get misread as anxiety, ADHD, or a primary psychiatric condition instead of a hormonal one. She also covers why brain fog is usually not dementia, what actually helps, and what a proper evaluation should include. 💡 In this episode, we cover: Why up to two-thirds of women experience brain fog during perimenopause, and why it finally has a formal medical definitionHow fluctuating estrogen and progesterone affect serotonin, dopamine, and GABA, your brain’s memory, mood, and calm systemsWhy these symptoms get misread as a primary psychiatric conditionWhy perimenopause brain fog is usually not dementia, and what the research showsThe red flags that do warrant a prompt evaluationHow to untangle perimenopause from anxiety and ADHD-like symptomsWhen to seek care and what a proper evaluation includesPractical strategies that help, including sleep, movement, and hormone therapy⏱️ Chapters: 00:00 Intro 03:24 How common perimenopause brain fog really is 04:01 What’s happening in your brain: estrogen, progesterone, and receptors 05:04 Why fluctuating hormones, not just declining ones, cause the fog 06:57 Reassuring research: brain fog vs. measurable cognitive decline 07:20 Why it tends to be temporary 10:21 Red flags that deserve a prompt workup 12:43 Perimenopause, ADHD, and how to tell them apart 16:04 Mood changes: when it’s perimenopause, when it’s depression, and why both can be true 21:08 What actually helps: sleep, movement, and hormone therapy 🔗 Resources / LinksBook Your Personalized Wellness Assessment or Coaching Consultation → https://bit.ly/rejuvenateassessment If this episode helped you, share it with a woman in your life who might be dealing with the same thing and could use this information. Note: This episode is for education and is not medical advice. If you’re experiencing significant mood changes, memory concerns, or thoughts of not wanting to be here, please talk with your provider or contact the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (call or text 988).

  2. Oct 6

    Testosterone for Women, Miracle, Hype, or Something in Between

    Did you know women make testosterone too, and that it starts quietly declining in your 20s? Maybe you used to juggle work, kids, and everything in between without thinking twice. Now you're exhausted in a way sleep doesn't fix, you don't feel like yourself, and you can't remember the last time you actually wanted to have sex. If that's you, you're not alone, and most women have never even heard that testosterone could be part of the answer. In this episode, Dr. Ade Akindipe, DNP, breaks down what testosterone actually does for women in perimenopause and menopause and what to ask before starting it. That decline can become part of the conversation around libido, energy, muscle, and overall hormone health. Fresh from a hormone and metabolic health conference in Miami, she covers the real research behind testosterone for desire, energy, mood, and more, plus the FDA's first-ever public meeting on testosterone for women and what it does and doesn't mean for you right now. 💡 In this episode, we cover: Why testosterone matters for women during perimenopause and menopauseWhat testosterone can actually help withTotal testosterone vs. free testosteroneWhen vaginal estrogen may be more appropriateWhat testosterone may and may not do for energy, brain fog, mood, muscle, and weightHow sleep, stress, medications, thyroid, iron, blood sugar, and alcohol can affect libidoTestosterone side effects women should know aboutHow testosterone is safely prescribed and monitored, including topical options and why pellets aren't always the first choiceCommon side effects to know about testosterone and why careful dosing mattersThe latest FDA discussion around testosterone for womenMyths vs. facts about testosterone for women⏱️ Chapters:00:01 Intro03:28 The FDA public comment period on testosterone for women05:51 Do women actually need testosterone?08:12 Why there's no magic testosterone number10:38 What the research says about testosterone and libido13:00 Testosterone vs. vaginal estrogen15:23 What testosterone may help with beyond libido17:50 What we know and don't know about long-term safety20:10 Ruling out other causes before reaching for testosterone22:28 How testosterone is prescribed, monitored, and adjusted23:57 Common side effects and why careful dosing matters24:55 What actually happened at the FDA's public meeting27:18 Myths vs. facts about testosterone for women 🔗 Resources / Links FDA public comment period (open until October 19th) → https://www.regulations.gov/docket/FDA-2026-N-5479Book Your Hormone and Metabolic Consultation → https://bit.ly/rejuvenateassessmentBook Dr. Ade for speaking -> https://womenbuiltstrategies.com/If this episode helped you, share it with a woman in your life who's been quietly wondering about testosterone but didn't know where to start. And make sure to follow the podcast for more conversations around perimenopause, menopause, hormones, metabolism, libido, and women's health. Note: This episode is for education and is not medical advice. Talk with your provider before starting or changing any hormone therapy.

  3. Sep 22

    The Real Reason You Wake Up at 3am in Midlife

    You didn't hear a noise, but you still woke up in the middle of the night, staring at the ceiling and wondering why you can't go back to sleep. If this sounds familiar, you are not alone. Somewhere between 40 and over half of women in the menopause transition deal with insomnia, and most are quietly fixing the wrong thing. In this episode, Dr. Ade Akindipe, DNP, breaks down what's actually driving those 3am wake-ups, from the hormonal shifts in progesterone, estrogen, and cortisol to the learned anxiety loop that can outlast the hormones that started it. She also covers the other causes that get missed, and walks through what actually helps, including the treatment shown to outperform medication and even estrogen for chronic insomnia. 💡 In this episode, we cover: Why so many women who used to be great sleepers suddenly can't sleep through the night in their 40sHow declining progesterone can affect anxiety and sleepWhy night sweats aren't always the reason you wake up feeling exhaustedHow blood sugar dips overnight can trigger a cortisol spike that jolts you awakeWhat the "learned awakening loop" isWhat Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia is and why it can help Other causes of sleep problems that should not be overlookedThe treatment shown to outperform antidepressants and even estrogen for chronic insomniaPractical ways to support better sleep during midlife Where hormone therapy fits in, and what to ask your provider⏱️ Chapters:00:00 Intro01:39 Introduction and how common insomnia is in the menopause transition02:23 Why perimenopause can disrupt your sleep03:19 The hormones behind your sleep: progesterone, estrogen, and cortisol07:19 How blood sugar dips can wake you up at night08:06 The learned awakening loop and why fixing hormones isn't always enough09:32 Other causes of sleep problems to rule out10:21 Why CBT-I can be so effective for insomnia13:12 Temperature, blood sugar, and alcohol15:05 Light, hormones, and other treatment strategies16:30 Final thoughts and when to seek support 🔗 Resources / Links Non-hormonal Sleep and Circadian Reset Recommendation: https://us.fullscript.com/s/akvip-dispensary/shop/plans/TXVsdGlQYXRpZW50UGxhbi0xNzA2Mjk=Non-hormonal Hot Flashes and Night Sweat Relief: https://us.fullscript.com/s/akvip-dispensary/shop/plans/TXVsdGlQYXRpZW50UGxhbi0xNzA2Mjg=Listen to all episodes → https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLoVU03xrDH8WODZsTZoQx0tUsvhT0XUuiIf you know another woman who keeps waking up in the middle of the night and thinks she's the only one going through it. Note: This episode is for education and is not medical advice. Talk with your provider before starting any treatment, especially if you have a personal or family history of hormone-sensitive cancers, blood clots, or cardiovascular or liver conditions.

  4. Sep 8

    The real risk of Ozempic in Midlife nobody talks about

    You've finally found something that works. The scale is moving. Your appetite feels more manageable. But then you notice something: why do you feel weaker instead of stronger? In this episode, Dr. Ade Akindipe, DNP, is having an honest conversation about GLP-1 medications, including Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro, and Zepbound, and what midlife women need to know beyond the number on the scale. GLP-1 medications can be powerful tools, and she's seen them help women lose weight and improve chronic health conditions. But weight loss and improved health are not automatically the same thing. The real question is: what are you losing? We're talking about the truth behind muscle loss, the often overlooked question of bone health, why rapid weight loss without a plan can be a concern, and the steps you can take to protect your muscle, bones, metabolism, and long-term health while using these medications. This is not about fear or shame. It's about understanding how to use a powerful tool with a specific plan that lets you lose fat without losing the strength and bone density you need for the next 40 years. 💡 In this episode, we cover: Why midlife weight gain is differentWhy GLP-1 medications have become so popular specifically among women in their 40s, 50s, and beyondThe truth about muscle loss with GLP-1 medications What people mean when they talk about “Ozempic face” Why losing weight too quickly can be a concern The overlooked connection between weight loss and bone health The four pillars for protecting muscle and bone during weight lossNew research on hormone therapy combined with GLP-1s and what it means for stubborn visceral fatWhat weight regain looks like if you stop the medication without the right foundationWhat a real, supervised GLP-1 plan actually looks like ⏱️ Chapters: 00:00 Intro 02:40 Why midlife weight gain is different 04:58 Why GLP-1s became so popular with women 40s and beyond 07:20 The truth about GLP-1 medications 08:00 Are you losing muscle or fat? 09:44 Why moving less on GLP-1s puts your muscle at risk 11:29 The bone question nobody is talking about 14:28 Why these medications aren't right for everyone 15:00 The four pillars for protecting muscle and bone 19:17 New research on hormone therapy and GLP-1 weight loss 20:53 What a real, supervised plan looks like at Rejuvenate Wellness 23:55 The most important things to remember 🔗 Resources / LinksBook Your Personalized Wellness Assessment or Coaching Consultation → https://bit.ly/rejuvenateassessment If you know a woman who's on a GLP-1 or thinking about one and wondering if she's trading one problem for another, share this episode with her. Note: This episode is for education and is not medical advice. Talk with your provider before starting any treatment, especially if you have a personal or family history of hormone-sensitive cancers, blood clots, or cardiovascular or liver conditions.

  5. Aug 25

    Is HRT safe now? What the FDA's Warning Change Means for Women

    For over 20 years, hormone therapy carried a black box warning that kept millions of women away from it, even the ones who could have benefited most. In this episode, Dr. Ade Akindipe, DNP, breaks down what actually changed with hormone therapy research and FDA guidance, why the original warning was based on a study that never should have applied to most menopausal women, and what hormone therapy is proven to help with, and what it isn't. She walks through how to figure out if it's actually the right conversation for your body, and what a real, individualized evaluation looks like.💡 In this episode, we cover: The wrong study that made an entire generation of women and clinicians afraid of hormone therapyWhat the FDA changed on hormone therapy labels in late 2025 and early 2026What new research out of Stanford found about estrogen and Alzheimer's riskWhat hormone therapy can help withQuestions to ask your provider about HRTWhat a real, individualized hormone evaluation actually looks like⏱️ Chapters: 00:00 Intro 05:09 The Women's Health Initiative study and how the fear in hormone therapy started 09:56 How the research was corrected 12:16 What actually changed: FDA labeling and rising demand 14:37 New Stanford research on estrogen and Alzheimer's risk 17:05 What hormone therapy is proven to help 21:49 What hormone therapy is not 26:39 Why hormone therapy isn't one-size-fits-all 31:11 What a real, individualized hormone evaluation actually looks like 34:58 Recap: the three things to remember 🔗 Resources / Links: Book Your Personalized Wellness Assessment or Coaching Consultation → https://bit.ly/rejuvenateassessmentListen to all episodes → https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLoVU03xrDH8WODZsTZoQx0tUsvhT0XUuiThis episode is for the woman who was told hormones are dangerous, or told there's nothing to be done, and knows there's more to the story. Note: This episode is for education and is not medical advice. Talk with your provider before starting any treatment, especially if you have a personal or family history of hormone-sensitive cancers, blood clots, or cardiovascular or liver conditions.

  6. Aug 11

    The Real Reason Your Belly Fat Won’t Budge After 40

    If you're eating well, exercising consistently, and still can't lose the weight around your middle — cortisol may be the reason. In this episode, Dr. Ade Akindipe, DNP, explains why chronically elevated cortisol drives fat storage around your organs and midsection, worsens insulin resistance, disrupts your sleep, and shifts your mood in ways that don't feel like you. You'll learn: Why visceral fat responds to cortisol differently than other fat — and why that makes it so stubbornHow high cortisol raises blood sugar and insulin even when you haven't eatenThe "wired but tired" pattern: exhausted all day, wide awake at night, and what's behind itHow one night of poor sleep can raise insulin resistance the very next morningSigns of high cortisol in women, including central weight gain, irregular cycles, anxiety, and irritabilityHow to lower cortisol naturally: breathwork, yoga, movement, journaling, and eating to support your cortisol rhythmThe supplements with real clinical evidence behind them — ashwagandha, rhodiola, phosphatidylserine, magnesium glycinate, L-theanine, omega-3s, and methylated B vitamins⏱️ Chapters: 00:00 Intro 04:59 Cortisol as a metabolic hormone 08:15 How cortisol drives insulin resistance and belly fat storage 10:39 Cortisol, progesterone, and estrogen dominance 16:20 What actually improves sleep for women with insulin resistance 20:57 Tools that interrupt the stress response 26:37 Journaling and its effect on cortisol 27:37 Eating to support your cortisol rhythm 28:59 Supplements for cortisol regulation 🔗 Resources / Links Get the supplement bundles and metabolic blueprint intake form here: https://theelevatedwomanproject.com/33Book Your Personalized Wellness Assessment → https://bit.ly/rejuvenateassessmentListen to all episodes → https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLoVU03xrDH8WODZsTZoQx0tUsvhT0XUuiThis episode is for the woman who has been told to just eat less and move more — and knows in her body that something else is going on. Note: This episode is for education and is not medical advice. Talk with your provider before starting any supplement, especially if you take antidepressants, anti-anxiety medication, or thyroid medication.

  7. Jul 28

    The Truth About Thyroid Labs, Every Midlife Woman Should Know

    Have you ever been told your thyroid is fine, but you still feel exhausted, can't lose weight, your hair is falling out, and your brain just won't cooperate? You were not wrong about your body. This might be the most mismanaged area of women's health in conventional medicine, and today we're getting into all of it. Most thyroid testing stops at TSH, which is only one piece of a much bigger picture. And for women dealing with insulin resistance or PMOS, that single number can be actively misleading. In this episode, I'm breaking down how your thyroid actually works, why your labs can look normal while your cells are starving for active thyroid hormone, what Hashimoto's is and why it's so commonly missed, and what comprehensive thyroid care actually looks like in practice. We're also covering the evidence-based supplements I use in my clinical protocols to support thyroid function, and three things you can do this week to start getting real answers. 💡 In this episode, we cover: Why a normal TSH does not mean your thyroid is functioning wellHow T4 converts to active T3 and what breaks that process downWhat reverse T3 is, why it matters, and why nobody talks about itHow insulin resistance directly impairs thyroid hormone conversionWhat a complete thyroid panel actually looks like and what to ask your provider forWhat Hashimoto's thyroiditis is, why it's so commonly missed, and how it connects to PMOS and insulin resistanceEvidence-based interventions that can reduce antibody levels and slow the autoimmune processWhy so many women on levothyroxine still feel terrible, and what the alternatives areThe supplements that directly support thyroid conversion, receptor sensitivity, and immune modulationThree things you can do this week to start moving in the right direction⏱️ Chapters: 00:00 Intro 02:16 How your thyroid actually works: T4, T3, and the conversion process 04:38 How insulin resistance breaks thyroid hormone conversion 06:12 What reverse T3 is and why it explains so much 09:04 Why TSH alone is not enough and what it actually measures 10:42 What a complete thyroid panel looks like and what to ask for 13:34 Hashimoto's thyroiditis: what it is and why it's missed 16:28 The overlap between Hashimoto's, PMOS, and insulin resistance 17:58 Evidence-based interventions to reduce antibodies and slow the autoimmune process 21:44 Treatment options: desiccated thyroid, T3, and why T4 alone may not be enough 27:12 Thyroid optimization goals: treating the patient, not the lab number 28:58 Supplements that support thyroid function 35:02 Three things to do this week  🔗 Resources / Links Get the supplement bundle, lab guide, and metabolic blueprint intake form here: https://theelevatedwomanproject.com/32Book Your Personalized Wellness Assessment → https://bit.ly/rejuvenateassessmentListen to all episodes → https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLoVU03xrDH8WODZsTZoQx0tUsvhT0XUuiIf this episode helped you, share it with a woman who keeps being told her thyroid is fine but has never felt fine. And make sure to follow the podcast for more conversations around thyroid health, insulin resistance, PMOS, hormones, and midlife wellness.

  8. Jul 14

    Why your workout isn't working even if you're doing hours of cardio

    Have you been showing up to your workouts consistently and still not seeing results? The scale won't budge. You're exhausted after every session. And somewhere along the way, someone told you the answer was just more cardio. It wasn't. If you have insulin resistance or PMOS, the way your body responds to exercise is different. And the workout plan most women are following wasn't built for that. In this episode, I'm breaking down what the research actually says about movement and insulin resistance, why cardio alone isn't the answer, and what a realistic week of exercise actually looks like for your body. We're also talking about the supplements I pair with movement in my clinical protocols, because exercise and nutrition aren't separate lanes. They're hitting the same targets, and combining them on purpose is what actually moves the needle. 💡 In this episode, we cover: Why women with insulin resistance process food differentlyThe three principles that lower insulin without cutting out entire food groupsWhy cardio alone won't fix insulin resistance and what it can do insteadWhy too much intense cardio can actually make things worse if you're already exhaustedHow your muscles act as a blood sugar sponge and why that changes everythingThe research-backed ranking of which types of movement help most with insulin resistance in womenWhy yoga ranked number one and what that actually means for your routineWhat HIIT, zone two cardio, and resistance training each do for your blood sugarWhat a realistic beginner-to-moderate workout week actually looks likeThe supplements I use with patients around exercise and recovery, and why they workThree things you can start doing this week without overhauling your entire routineChapters: 00:00 Intro 02:15 Why cardio isn't the full answer for insulin resistance 03:15 Your muscles are your body's blood sugar sponge 05:39 How too much cardio can work against you 06:25 The research ranking of movement types for insulin resistance in women 07:05 Why yoga ranked number one 08:24 How to blend the top three movement types 10:27 What HIIT actually means and how to start where you are 12:49 Zone two cardio and why it's different from what you've been doing 13:59 Resistance training and the long game of building muscle 15:11 What a realistic workout week looks like in real life 17:34 Supplements that work alongside movement 22:02 Three things to do this week 24:03 The women's metabolic blueprint program 🔗 Resources / Links Supplement bundle: https://us.fullscript.com/welcome/akvip-dispensary/store-startBook Your Personalized Wellness Assessment for the Women's Metabolic Blueprint Program → https://bit.ly/rejuvenateassessmentListen to all episodes → https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLoVU03xrDH8WODZsTZoQx0tUsvhT0XUuiIf this episode helped you, share it with a woman who's been grinding through workouts and wondering why nothing is changing. And make sure to follow the podcast for more conversations around insulin resistance, PMOS, hormones, metabolism, and midlife wellness.

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About

For high-performing women who are exhausted by weight gain, hormonal chaos, and vanishing energy — this is your reset. I’m Dr. Ade Akindipe, a DNP, obesity + hormone specialist, and health coach. On this show, we demystify metabolism, gut health, hormone balance, longevity, and the root-cause mindset behind lasting transformation. If you’re ready to stop fighting your body and start living with more clarity, energy, and confidence — this is your space.

Information

  • Creator
    Aderonke Akindipe, DNP, MBA, APRN, NP-C
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    38
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Aderonke Akindipe, DNP, MBA, APRN, NP-C
  • Show Website
    The Elevated Woman's Podcast