The Midlife Vitality Project: Where Perimenopause Becomes Your Comeback Story Naturally!

Joanne Willis, RHN
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  • Nutrition

If you’re a woman over 40 who is tired of feeling tired, foggy, or stuck in a body that doesn’t feel like yours anymore and are looking for a natural approach that will work for YOU to help you start feeling like yourself again, this podcast is for you.  In The Midlife Vitality Project podcast, Registered Holistic Nutritionist, cancer survivor and fellow perimenopause warrier, Joanne Willis, guides you through a real midlife health and life transformation — not one that relies on pills, weight loss injections, HRT or quick fixes, but through understanding your body’s signals and rebuilding your health from the root - naturally - with the power of nutrition! In each episode, Joanne will dig deep into the real reason behind midlife weight gain, mood swings, fatigue, and other wacky and worrying symptoms of perimenopause — and teaches you how to rebalance your metabolism, hormones and blood levels to achieve your best health and lasting vitality through menopause and beyond. Because midlife is not the end my friend — it’s just the beginning of your next chapter - the chapter that's all about you and living your best life! 

  1. 4d ago

    Episode 61: The Supplement Mistakes Even Health-Conscious Women Make in midlife

    Send us your questions & comments In this episode of The Midlife Vitality Project, Joanne Willis tackles the supplement mistakes even her most health-conscious clients make. Joanne walks through the hidden issues that quietly undermine even a well-intentioned supplement routine — from medication timing most women overlook, to sneaky label language designed to hide underdosed ingredients, to the real difference between magnesium forms and calcium forms that get lumped together as the same thing.  Joanne also breaks down what bloodwork markers can actually reveal about inflammation and diet, and why this matters to whether your body can retain mineral supplements that you are taking or if you are pouring supplements into a bucket with a hole in the bottom! Listeners will walk away with a clear framework for auditing what's in their own cupboard, and a better sense of when food can do the job a supplement was never actually needed for. Ready to get clarity on what's going on inside your body? Book your Complimentary Health Audit with Joanne Here. We'll look at your unique situation, identify where your key metabolic imbalances might be and create a roadmap for reclaiming your energy and health — naturally and sustainably. No obligation. Just real answers. Want to learn more about The Metabolic Balance Program - the program I use in my practice to get my client real results that last?  Discover what everyone is talking about! The world's leading personalized nutrition and hormone-balancing system with the highest global success rate for sustainable weight loss and health transformation without pills, shakes or expensive proprietary foods. One nutrition plan based on YOUR bloodwork. No deprivation. No one-size-fits-all diet. Just real food matched to your own biochemistry for real, lasting results. Watch the information video here.

    Episode 61: The Supplement Mistakes Even Health-Conscious Women Make in midlife

  2. Sep 14

    Episode 60: Why Aren't You Having a Drink?" And Other Holiday Questions You Don't Owe Anyone an Answer To

    Send us your questions & comments Thanksgiving is just five weeks away in Canada followed very quickly by the ramp up to the holiday season.  And for many women the holidays can bring a level of anxiety that all of their efforts to embed new healthy habits are going to unravel with the pressure of all of those social events that are often centered around FOOD! In this episode of The Midlife Vitality Project, Joanne Willis gets ahead of the season before it gets ahead of her listeners. Drawing on a real client story — a woman who understands the science, follows her plan, and still found herself anxious at a social event in the summer when someone casually asked why she wasn't having a drink, Joanne breaks down why the holiday season is another common time of year that derails so many women who are otherwise doing everything right.  She explains why waiting until "the week of" to buckle down almost never works, and walks through the specific physical and mental habits worth building now, while the pressure is still low, so they're already second nature by the time the real test arrives. In this episode, you'll learn: Why trying a brand-new habit under holiday pressure is set up to fail before it even startsThe physical habits worth practicing now so a holiday indulgence doesn't spiral into a full derailmentWhy the hardest part of the season often isn't the food itself — and what's actually happening underneath those "why aren't you having X" momentsA simple way to respond to food-related questions and comments without over-explaining yourselfHow to walk into a potluck or gathering already prepared, instead of hoping for the best once you're thereIf you've ever felt that knot in your stomach thinking about the season ahead, this episode gives you a real plan for the next four weeks — not a New Year's-style overhaul in November. Ready to get clarity on what's going on inside your body? Book your Complimentary Health Audit with Joanne Here. We'll look at your unique situation, identify where your key metabolic imbalances might be and create a roadmap for reclaiming your energy and health — naturally and sustainably. No obligation. Just real answers. Want to learn more about The Metabolic Balance Program - the program I use in my practice to get my client real results that last?  Discover what everyone is talking about! The world's leading personalized nutrition and hormone-balancing system with the highest global success rate for sustainable weight loss and health transformation without pills, shakes or expensive proprietary foods. One nutrition plan based on YOUR bloodwork. No deprivation. No one-size-fits-all diet. Just real food matched to your own biochemistry for real, lasting results. Watch the information video here.

    Episode 60: Why Aren't You Having a Drink?" And Other Holiday Questions You Don't Owe Anyone an Answer To

  3. Sep 7

    Episode 59: To Snack or Not to Snack for Weight Loss? That is the question!

    Send us your questions & comments In this episode of The Midlife Vitality Project, Joanne Willis tackles a myth that trips up even her most health-conscious clients: that snacking — even healthy snacking — helps keep your metabolism moving for weight loss.  Drawing on reporting from Harvard Health Publishing, Joanne breaks down what actually happens to your blood-sugar balance every time you eat and what this actually does to your weight loss efforts, why constant grazing (even on healthy foods like almonds, yogurt, or protein bars) never gives your pancreas a real recovery window and why this matters, and what's often hiding in "clean" protein bars that quietly works against you.  Joanne walks through what a truly balanced meal needs to make three-meals-a-day genuinely satisfying and shares the early warning signs of blood sugar dysregulation worth paying attention to, including what your triglycerides actually tell you about your blood-sugar more than your cholesterol — whether or not you've ever been told you have an issue at all.  By the end of this episode, you will look at your snacking habit in a whole new light and you will walk away with simple, doable action steps to help transition you away from being a "serial snacker" to someone who knows how to maximize your nutrition for improved energy, healthier bloodwork, and effortless weight loss that can be easily sustained for the long-term.  Ready to get clarity on what's going on inside your body? Book your Complimentary Health Audit with Joanne Here. We'll look at your unique situation, identify where your key metabolic imbalances might be and create a roadmap for reclaiming your energy and health — naturally and sustainably. No obligation. Just real answers. Want to learn more about The Metabolic Balance Program - the program I use in my practice to get my client real results that last?  Discover what everyone is talking about! The world's leading personalized nutrition and hormone-balancing system with the highest global success rate for sustainable weight loss and health transformation without pills, shakes or expensive proprietary foods. One nutrition plan based on YOUR bloodwork. No deprivation. No one-size-fits-all diet. Just real food matched to your own biochemistry for real, lasting results. Watch the information video here.

    Episode 59: To Snack or Not to Snack for Weight Loss? That is the question!

  4. Aug 30

    Episode 58: Is the scale telling you you have lost control of your weight this summer? Think again!

    Send us your questions & comments How your September reset is easier than you think to get back on track towards your goal. In this episode of The Midlife Vitality Project, Joanne Willis tackles the scale panic that hits so many women every September. After a summer of travel, patio dinners, and disrupted routines, stepping on the scale to a higher number can feel like proof that months of progress have vanished — but Joanne breaks down why that number is almost never telling the true story. Drawing on reporting from Business Insider featuring registered dietitian Kara Mockler, she explains the real relationship between carbohydrate intake, sodium, cortisol, and water retention — and why perimenopause makes this effect even more pronounced. Rather than reaching for a crash diet or an extreme reset, listeners walk away with three simple, sustainable steps to help their body let go of retained fluid naturally, plus a clear reframe: September isn't about punishing your way back — it's about returning to a rhythm that was already working.  Ready to get clarity on what's going on inside your body? Book your Complimentary Health Audit with Joanne Here. We'll look at your unique situation, identify where your key metabolic imbalances might be and create a roadmap for reclaiming your energy and health — naturally and sustainably. No obligation. Just real answers. Want to learn more about The Metabolic Balance Program - the program I use in my practice to get my client real results that last?  Discover what everyone is talking about! The world's leading personalized nutrition and hormone-balancing system with the highest global success rate for sustainable weight loss and health transformation without pills, shakes or expensive proprietary foods. One nutrition plan based on YOUR bloodwork. No deprivation. No one-size-fits-all diet. Just real food matched to your own biochemistry for real, lasting results. Watch the information video here.

    Episode 58: Is the scale telling you you have lost control of your weight this summer? Think again!

  5. Aug 23

    Episode 57: What The Oprah GLP-1 Episode Never Told You

    Send us your questions & comments Genetics may load the gun but nobody mentioned what pulls the trigger! In this week's episode, Joanne Willis takes a closer look at a widely-discussed episode of The Oprah Podcast featuring Dr. Ania Jastreboff, Yale endocrinologist and co-author of Enough, alongside Serena Williams.  Joanne walks chapter by chapter through what the conversation covered (much of which she agrees with) and identifies the one key structural piece missing throughout that has a direct impact on your biology - a word that is referred back to throughout an hour long episode but only through one half of the story. Joanne breaks down the real difference between "nature" and "nurture" when it comes to our biology and it's impact on our ability to lose, manage and sustain our weight.  She separates fixed genetic factors from modifiable metabolic dysfunction, including insulin resistance, chronic inflammation, and blood sugar dysregulation — and explains why that distinction matters far more than mainstream coverage tends to suggest.  She also revisits a moment from the episode where a common GLP-1 side effect question was answered with advice that, while helpful for symptom relief, works against long-term blood sugar stability - one of the key reasons weight loss is a struggle in the first place!  To celebrate the fall launch of her new Metabolic Momentum Coaching Membership, Joanne has opened 10 limited enrollment spots for the Metabolic Balance program, available now through August 31, 2026, offering 4 months of additional complimentary coaching after the 12 week coaching program PLUS specially reduced program pricin — a savings of $1,000 in total value!  👉 Click here to apply for one of the 10 enrollment spots. If selected, you will be invited to attend an interview before August 31st, 2026 where you can ask all of your questions and decide if the Metabolic Balance Program is the perfect fit!   Ready to get clarity on what's going on inside your body? Book your Complimentary Health Audit with Joanne Here. We'll look at your unique situation, identify where your key metabolic imbalances might be and create a roadmap for reclaiming your energy and health — naturally and sustainably. No obligation. Just real answers. Want to learn more about The Metabolic Balance Program - the program I use in my practice to get my client real results that last?  Discover what everyone is talking about! The world's leading personalized nutrition and hormone-balancing system with the highest global success rate for sustainable weight loss and health transformation without pills, shakes or expensive proprietary foods. One nutrition plan based on YOUR bloodwork. No deprivation. No one-size-fits-all diet. Just real food matched to your own biochemistry for real, lasting results. Watch the information video here.

    Episode 57: What The Oprah GLP-1 Episode Never Told You

  6. Aug 16

    Episode 56: The Real Cause Behind GLP-1 Rebound Weight Gain (Part 3 of 3)

    Send us your questions & comments Discover what the 14% who keep the weight off do long before they stop! In the final episode of her three-part August 2026 series, Joanne Willis tackles the question she believes sits underneath almost every GLP-1 decision, whether people say it out loud or not: what happens when I stop?  Joanne walks through two 2026 studies that, on the surface, seem to tell opposite stories; one showing rapid weight regain after stopping and one showing many people avoid it entirely, and why these studies claim different results.  Joanne then reveals the single detail buried in the data that makes sense of both of these studies and she shares two real, publicly documented stories of women with very different outcomes after stopping their medication. Joanne also breaks down what the World Health Organization actually says about how to truly benefit from a GLP-1 medication and why this strategy should be a non-negotiable for everyone. Lastly, Joanne answers some of her most frequently asked questions around GLP-1s, specifically from women navigating perimenopause and post-menopause. To learn the exact step-by-step strategy Joanne uses with her clients who are on a GLP-1 medication or who are looking to avoid starting one, register for Joanne's upcoming live online workshop, "Ozempic & GLP-1s: How to Get the Benefits Without the Side Effects" on Wednesday August 19th at 7pm EST. Click this link to save your seat and get access to the replay and special attendee bonuses!  Links & Resources mentioned in this episode: BMJ systematic review on weight regain (Jan 2026):  Weight regain after cessation of medication for weight management: systematic review and meta-analysis - PubMed  Cleveland Clinic real-world regain study (March 2026), via ScienceDaily: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/03/260319044648.htm  Pepper Schwartz case study, via TODAY: https://www.today.com/health/diet-fitness/ozempic-before-and-after-rcna99185  Ready to get clarity on what's going on inside your body? Book your Complimentary Health Audit with Joanne Here. We'll look at your unique situation, identify where your key metabolic imbalances might be and create a roadmap for reclaiming your energy and health — naturally and sustainably. No obligation. Just real answers. Want to learn more about The Metabolic Balance Program - the program I use in my practice to get my client real results that last?  Discover what everyone is talking about! The world's leading personalized nutrition and hormone-balancing system with the highest global success rate for sustainable weight loss and health transformation without pills, shakes or expensive proprietary foods. One nutrition plan based on YOUR bloodwork. No deprivation. No one-size-fits-all diet. Just real food matched to your own biochemistry for real, lasting results. Watch the information video here.

    Episode 56: The Real Cause Behind GLP-1 Rebound Weight Gain (Part 3 of 3)

  7. Aug 9

    Episode 55: The GLP-1 side effects of a suppressed appetite no-one warns you about (Part 2 of 3)

    Send us your questions & comments How to avoid muscle loss, fatigue and nutrient gaps while taking Ozempic or other GLP-1s.  In part two of her three-part August series, Joanne Willis digs deeper into what actually happens in your body when a GLP-1 significantly reduces how much you're eating, for months or longer, and how to get the benefits of a suppressed appetite without it having a negative impact on your body's nutrition and fuel needs. Joanne also shares new research presented at the Endocrine Society's 2026 conference on activity levels in GLP-1 users, and connects it to a real account from a practicing physician whose patient lost 50 pounds only to learn a third of it was muscle. She explains exactly what nutrients tend to run low on GLP-1s if nutriion isn't addressed alongside them, why the ripple effects go far beyond the scale, and why generic advice like "just eat more protein" was never going to be enough to close a gap this specific. You are invited to join Joanne live for her upcoming virtual workshop, "Ozempic & GLP-1s: How to Get the Benefits Without the Side Effects " where she will be diving into exactly how to make GLP-1s work for you without the worry of muscle loss, gut issues or rebound weight gain. If you are already taking a GLP-1 or are thinking about it and want to get total clarity on how to do it the right way based on what YOUR body actually needs, this is a workshop you don't want to miss! 👉 Register here to get on the guest list for the free virtual event on August 18th at 7pm EST and lock in the replay and your special attendee bonus! Links & Resources: [Endocrine Society's 2026 research on GLP-1 users and reduced activity ]  Ready to get clarity on what's going on inside your body? Book your Complimentary Health Audit with Joanne Here. We'll look at your unique situation, identify where your key metabolic imbalances might be and create a roadmap for reclaiming your energy and health — naturally and sustainably. No obligation. Just real answers. Want to learn more about The Metabolic Balance Program - the program I use in my practice to get my client real results that last?  Discover what everyone is talking about! The world's leading personalized nutrition and hormone-balancing system with the highest global success rate for sustainable weight loss and health transformation without pills, shakes or expensive proprietary foods. One nutrition plan based on YOUR bloodwork. No deprivation. No one-size-fits-all diet. Just real food matched to your own biochemistry for real, lasting results. Watch the information video here.

    Episode 55: The GLP-1 side effects of a suppressed appetite no-one warns you about (Part 2 of 3)

  8. Aug 3

    Episode 54: The GLP-1 Conversation Nobody's Having Yet (Part 1 of 3): New research, new generics, and the truth behind the headlines

    Send us your questions & comments In the first episode of her three-part August series, Joanne Willis opens up an honest, balanced conversation about GLP-1 medications (Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro and the new generics coming to market).  Joanne walks through a June 2026 Stanford study on "food noise" and highlights something the headlines mostly missed - how to make the most of that food freedom. She shares in simple, plain language, the four remarkable ways these medications work with the body but then goes on to explain why GLP-1s can't do all the work alone, and what is just as important for us to consider for true health and sustainable weight loss for many years to come.  Links & Resources: 1. Stanford Center for Digital Health "food noise" study (JAMA Network Open, June 2026):  Link: https://medicine.stanford.edu/news/stories/2026/06/GLP1-Experiences.html 2. Register for our live, virtual workshop, "Ozempic & GLP-1s - How to Get the Benefits Without the Side Effects" on August 19th at 7pm EST HERE. Ready to get clarity on what's going on inside your body? Book your Complimentary Health Audit with Joanne Here. We'll look at your unique situation, identify where your key metabolic imbalances might be and create a roadmap for reclaiming your energy and health — naturally and sustainably. No obligation. Just real answers. Want to learn more about The Metabolic Balance Program - the program I use in my practice to get my client real results that last?  Discover what everyone is talking about! The world's leading personalized nutrition and hormone-balancing system with the highest global success rate for sustainable weight loss and health transformation without pills, shakes or expensive proprietary foods. One nutrition plan based on YOUR bloodwork. No deprivation. No one-size-fits-all diet. Just real food matched to your own biochemistry for real, lasting results. Watch the information video here.

    Episode 54: The GLP-1 Conversation Nobody's Having Yet (Part 1 of 3): New research, new generics, and the truth behind the headlines
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About

If you’re a woman over 40 who is tired of feeling tired, foggy, or stuck in a body that doesn’t feel like yours anymore and are looking for a natural approach that will work for YOU to help you start feeling like yourself again, this podcast is for you.  In The Midlife Vitality Project podcast, Registered Holistic Nutritionist, cancer survivor and fellow perimenopause warrier, Joanne Willis, guides you through a real midlife health and life transformation — not one that relies on pills, weight loss injections, HRT or quick fixes, but through understanding your body’s signals and rebuilding your health from the root - naturally - with the power of nutrition! In each episode, Joanne will dig deep into the real reason behind midlife weight gain, mood swings, fatigue, and other wacky and worrying symptoms of perimenopause — and teaches you how to rebalance your metabolism, hormones and blood levels to achieve your best health and lasting vitality through menopause and beyond. Because midlife is not the end my friend — it’s just the beginning of your next chapter - the chapter that's all about you and living your best life! 

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