Body-Led By Design

Melissa Eich
  • 5.0 (60)
  • Entrepreneurship
  • Updated Weekly

Health, hormone, burnout recovery, and business growth for female entrepreneurs. Restore your energy, grow your revenue, reclaim your life.

  1. 5d ago

    181: Food Noise, Tapering, and Plateaus with GLP's - Part 3/3

    "How long am I supposed to stay on this medication?" If you're on a GLP-1, you've asked yourself this question, and you probably haven't said it out loud. In this final episode of the GLP-1 series, I'm answering the questions nobody prepares you for: what to do when the weight loss stops, how to know when you're ready to taper, why food noise comes back louder, and why some women regain the weight (it's usually not the reason you think). IN THIS EPISODE, YOU'LL LEARN: Why "how long do I stay on this?" is the wrong question, and the four better questions to ask insteadHow to find your natural weight versus a "GLP-1 weight," and why you can't fully trust your body's signals while the medication is on boardThe most common plateau mistake (going straight to a dose increase) and what a plateau is actually telling youWhat "unintentionally undernourished" looks like in real life: the protein coffee, the grab-and-go protein bar, the afternoon grazing, the dinner overeatingWhy eating MORE can restart your weight loss, and what your ancestors' DNA has to do with itThe 5 questions to honestly ask yourself before you taper, including protein targets and progressive overloadWhat food noise really is (hint: sometimes it's stress, boredom, or fatigue asking for something that isn't food)The real reasons women regain weight after a GLP-1, and why muscle is your number one protectionThe intentional medication breaks strategy that can increase your sensitivity and keep you at the lowest effective dose TIMESTAMPS: 00:00 The question you're afraid to ask out loud  02:18 Where NOT to get your GLP-1 (and why there's no such thing as an over-the-counter GLP-1)  05:59 There is no universal timeline: the better questions to ask  08:50 Natural weight vs. GLP-1 weight  12:37 Why weight loss never gives you the feeling you're chasing  13:50 Plateaus: before you call for a dose increase  17:09 Unintentionally undernourished: a day in the life  20:30 Why eating more can restart your progress  22:56 Are you ready to taper? 5 honest questions  27:43 Food noise: river vs. tidal wave  31:33 Why women regain the weight  35:20 The real goal (and the medication break strategy no one talks about)  37:38 The nurse-led GLP-1 program RESOURCES: 📥 Download the FREE GLP-1 Support Guide http://melissaeichwellness.com/glp1guide Know exactly what to start doing right now, even if you're already on the medication, and what to improve on. Or DM me "GLP" on Instagram and I'll send it to you. 🩺 The Nurse-Led GLP-1 Program https://melissaeichwellness.com/glp1 My one-on-one practice is nearly full, but I'm bringing in a few more GLP-1 clients before I launch a brand new group program this fall. We'll work on consistent nutrient intake, building muscle, balancing hormones naturally through food, and leveraging your lowest effective dose. Schedule your free consultation at the link above, or DM me "CONSULT" on Instagram. 📖 Related Episodes: Episode 179:https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/179-glp-1-for-midlife-women-where-to-begin-part-1-3/id1650475536?i=1000771142749Episode 180:https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/180-how-to-make-a-glp1-work-hard-for-you/id1650475536?i=1000772193317 CONNECT WITH ME: 📱 Instagram: @melissa_eich | DM me "GLP" for the free guide or "CONSULT" to book your consultation 🌐 Website: melissaeichwellness.com 💌 Email: melissa@melissaeichwellness.com ABOUT THE SHOW: Body-Led by Design is a podcast for midlife women who are done guessing their way through hormones, weight loss resistance, and feeling unlike themselves. Hosted by Melissa Eich, RN, hormone and nervous system coach, we use real data and body-led strategies so you can lose weight, build muscle, and trust your body again. LEAVE A REVIEW: If this episode resonated with you, I'd be so grateful if you'd leave a 5-star review. Your reviews help more midlife women find this podcast and finally get answers about their bodies. Keywords: GLP-1 tapering, how long to stay on GLP-1, GLP-1 food noise, GLP-1 plateau, GLP-1 weight regain, midlife weight loss, lowest effective dose, coming off semaglutide

    36 min

  2. Jun 12

    180: How To Make A GLP1 Work Hard For You

    In part two of the GLP-1 series, Melissa gets practical. What does it actually feel like to be on this medication? What does responsible use look like day to day? And how do you get the best results at the lowest effective dose possible? Whether you just started, you're a few months in, or you're wondering why you're not seeing the results you expected — this episode is for you. IN THIS EPISODE, YOU'LL LEARN: Why you forget about food on a GLP-1 and why that feeling of relief is also where your responsibility beginsWhat the flat affect actually is, why it happens, and what it tells you about your doseWhy GLP-1 receptors live in the brain's reward center — and what that means for your dopamine, your drive, and your nervous systemThe difference between microdosing and the lowest effective dose (and why that distinction matters more than the label)FDA-approved dosing for semaglutide (Wegovy, Ozempic) and tirzepatide (Zepbound, Mounjaro) — and where Melissa would actually startWhy digestion has to come first before or while on this medicationThe truth about blood sugar stability on a GLP-1 and why the medication doesn't do that work for youWhy women on GLP-1 are losing muscle without realizing it — and exactly what to do about itProgressive overload: what it actually means and why going through the motions isn't enoughWhy Melissa recommends Cronometer over MyFitnessPal for tracking on a GLP-1Hair loss — medication side effect or weight loss side effect? Melissa breaks down the differenceFatigue — why it's actually both, and what to do depending on which one it isWhy perimenopause symptoms can get louder on a GLP-1 and what's happening hormonallyHow to know if you're actually at a plateau (hint: four weeks is the threshold)What to do when you're at max dose and the scale still isn't movingHow long is it okay to stay on a GLP-1 — and what the long-term concerns actually areTIMESTAMPS: 00:00 — Welcome back + recap of episode one  01:45 — What it actually feels like when you first start  03:30 — The flat affect and the dopamine loop  07:50 — Strength training as a natural dopamine regulator  10:00 — The lowest effective dose and what microdosing actually means  12:00 — Semaglutide dosing overview (Wegovy, Ozempic)  13:45 — Tirzepatide dosing overview (Zepbound, Mounjaro)  15:00 — How to advocate for a lower starting dose with your provider  16:00 — Melissa's personal experience: 1 mg tirzepatide for inflammation  23:30 — Making the medication work hard for you: the foundation  25:00 — Digestion first — why gut health matters before you start  26:30 — Blood sugar stability is your responsibility  29:00 — Protein first, always  31:00 — Why women on GLP-1 are losing muscle  33:30 — Progressive overload — what it actually looks like  35:00 — Track your food — why Cronometer and why it's non-negotiable  38:30 — Side effects: medication vs. weight loss (two different categories)  39:00 — Hair loss explained  40:50 — Fatigue explained  42:00 — Nausea, constipation, gut symptoms  42:45 — Perimenopause, hormonal shifts, estrogen dominance 44:30 — How to know if you're actually at a plateau  48:00 — Max dose: what to do when you're there  48:30 — How long is it okay to stay on a GLP- 51:00 — Download the GLP-1 Support Guide + close RESOURCES: Download the GLP-1 Support Guide — everything you need to use this medication responsibly: workouts with logging space, protein meal plan, nutrition framework, and tracking tools. melissaeichwellness.com/GLP1guide Book a free consultation with Melissa — whether you're considering GLP-1, already on it, or wanting gut or hormone support while on it: https://melissaeichcoaching.practicebetter.io/#/6490bd200e37c64b346b25c8/bookings?s=6a0cb936104f4243883a46df Gut Healing Program or Complete Hormone Program: https://melissaeichcoaching.practicebetter.io/#/6490bd200e37c64b346b25c8/bookings?s=69fe864f4b36932a1ec4aba4 Related episodes: Episode [#179]: GLP-1 Series, Part 1 — The Shame, the Gray Area, and Weight Loss Resistance: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/179-glp-1-for-midlife-women-where-to-begin-part-1-3/id1650475536?i=1000771142749DUTCH test series — perimenopause, weight loss resistance, and estrogen detox - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/176-perimenopause-weight-gain-and-the-dutch-test/id1650475536?i=1000767363294CONNECT WITH MELISSA: Instagram: @melissa_eich Website: melissaeichwellness.com Email: melissa@melissaeichwellness.com ABOUT THE SHOW: Body-Led by Design is a podcast for women who are done guessing and ready to understand what's actually happening in their bodies. Hosted by Melissa Eich, registered nurse, hormone and nervous system coach, and somatic practitioner, each episode brings the real conversations from her practice so you can walk away more informed, more empowered, and a little less alone in what you're navigating. LEAVE A REVIEW: If this episode resonated with you, a five-star review means the world. It helps more women find this podcast and get the information they actually need. SEO KEYWORDS: GLP-1 side effects, semaglutide weight loss, tirzepatide lowest effective dose, microdosing GLP-1, hair loss on Ozempic, muscle loss GLP-1, weight loss plateau GLP-1, GLP-1 fatigue, Wegovy responsible use, perimenopause GLP-1, how long to stay on GLP-1, GLP-1 support women over 40

    43 min

  3. Jun 4

    179: GLP-1 for Midlife Women & Where to Begin | Part 1/3

    You've seen it everywhere. Maybe everyone you know is on it. Maybe you're curious but carrying some shame about it. Maybe you were just handed a prescription and sent on your way with zero context. This episode is for all of you. I'm cutting through the noise and giving you the honest, gray-area conversation about GLP-1 that nobody else is having — so you can make a decision you actually feel good about. IN THIS EPISODE, YOU'LL LEARN: Why living in the gray on GLP-1 is actually the hardest and most honest place to stand — and why I'm not here to tell you yes or noThe shame piece nobody is talking about: where it comes from, why it's not yours, and how it will color your entire experience if you don't look at itWhy GLP-1 is a tool, not a savior — and what the difference looks like between using it powerfully vs. using it as a shortcutWhat weight loss resistance actually is and why your body isn't broken, it's just responding to its environmentThe thyroid medication analogy that will completely reframe how you think about GLP-1The three things to address before you start: gut health, detoxification, and hormonal balance — and why skipping these is why people feel terrible in the beginningWhy your body stores toxins in fat cells and what happens when you start breaking those down without proper detox supportWhat food noise is and why building habits while you're on the medication matters more than the medication itselfTIMESTAMPS: 00:00 Welcome & Why This Series, Now  02:22 What This Series Will Cover (Episodes 1, 2 & 3)  03:35 Who This Episode Is For  06:02 The Shame Around GLP-1  08:18 Where That Shame Actually Came From (Diet Culture & the 90s)  11:20 GLP-1 Is a Tool — With Great Power Comes Great Responsibility  13:31 What It Looks Like to Use It Powerfully vs. as a Shortcut  15:44 Weight Loss Resistance Is Real — and It's Not a Character Flaw  19:08 Listener Questions: "I Only Have 15–20 Pounds to Lose"  25:12 "Why Are People Taking It When They Have No Weight to Lose?"  27:42 How to Prepare Your Body Before You Start  28:55 The Three Foundations: Gut Health, Detoxification & Hormonal Balance  35:20 Food Noise, Hunger Cues & Why Habits Matter More Than the Medication  36:55 How to Work With Melissa + GLP-1 Support Guide RESOURCES: 📥 Grab the GLP-1 Support Guide — foundations, nutrition, supplements, and what to track while you're on the medication: http://melissaeichwellness.com/glp1guide 📅 Schedule a Consultation — whether you're preparing to start, currently on GLP-1, or ready to taper, there's a spot for where you are right now: https://melissaeichcoaching.practicebetter.io/#/6490bd200e37c64b346b25c8/bookings?s=6a0cb936104f4243883a46df 📖 Related Episodes:10 Things to Know About GLP-1: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/episode-118-10-things-you-must-know-about-glp-1s/id1650475536?i=1000691076634 CONNECT WITH ME: 📱 Instagram: @melissa_eich | DM me the word CONSULT and I'll send you my booking link 🌐 Website: melissaeichwellness.com 💌 Email: melissa@melissaeichwellness.com ABOUT THE SHOW: Body-Led by Design is a podcast for women who are done doing things the hard way without the right information. Hosted by Melissa Eich — registered nurse and holistic health coach — we talk hormones, weight loss resistance, gut health, nervous system, and the real conversations your doctor doesn't have time for. LEAVE A REVIEW: If this episode gave you a little exhale — like someone finally said the thing — I'd be so grateful for a 5-star review. It helps more women find this show and feel a little less alone in what they're navigating. Keywords: GLP-1 medications, weight loss resistance, semaglutide, midlife weight gain, gut health and GLP-1, detoxification weight loss, hormone balance midlife, food noise, GLP-1 side effects, holistic health coach

    34 min

  4. May 26

    178: PMOS, Weight Loss Resistance & the Dutch Test

    If you've been told you have PCOS — or maybe you were told you might have it and that's where the conversation stopped — this episode is for you. We're talking about what is actually happening inside your body with PMOS: the blood sugar instability, the inflammation, the gut connection, and why advice like "just lose weight" or "just go low carb" completely misses the mark. I'm also walking you through how I use the Dutch test in my practice to find the primary driver of your symptoms so we stop guessing and actually start getting somewhere. IN THIS EPISODE, YOU'LL LEARN: Why PCOS was officially renamed PMOS — and why that name change actually matters for youHow insulin resistance drives androgens up and why your body behaves so differently than someone without PMOS doing the exact same thingsWhy inflammation is likely the primary reason weight loss feels impossible — and why nobody has ever told you thatThe gut dysbiosis loop that keeps PMOS symptoms cycling and why carnivore or extreme low carb gives temporary relief before making things worseWhat the Dutch test actually shows on paper for a woman with PMOS — and why a standard serum lab draw keeps telling you everything looks fineWhy eating less is not the answer and what your body actually needs to start feeling betterWhat's included in the complete hormone package and how to get startedTIMESTAMPS: 00:00 Welcome & Who This Episode Is For 02:19 The Name Change: PCOS to PMOS 08:56 What's Actually Happening In Your Body 10:07 Blood Sugar Instability & Insulin Resistance 12:27 Inflammation: The Primary Driver Nobody Talks About 13:56 The Gut Connection & Gut Dysbiosis 17:50 Why Carnivore & Low Carb Are Temporary Fixes 20:32 The Dutch Test Story for PMOS 23:18 What She Actually Needs Instead 26:31 The Complete Hormone Package RESOURCES: 🧪 Schedule your consultation or purchase the Complete Hormone Package https://melissaeichcoaching.practicebetter.io/#/6490bd200e37c64b346b25c8/bookings?s=69fe864f4b36932a1ec4aba4  — Special pricing of $899 available through May 31st. Payment plan available at $299/month for 3 months. HSA accepted. 📖 Related Episodes: Episode 177: The Dutch Test Series — Perimenopause, Weight Gain & Detoxing Your Hormones : https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/176-perimenopause-weight-gain-and-the-dutch-test/id1650475536?i=1000767363294CONNECT WITH ME: 📱 Instagram: @melissa_eich | DM me "DUTCH" for all the details on the hormone package 🌐 Website: melissaeichwellness.com 💌 Email: melissa@melissaeichwellness.com ABOUT THE SHOW: Hosted by Melissa Eich — RN turned hormone, nervous system, and somatic coach — this podcast is for the woman who is doing everything right and nothing is working. We dig into the root cause of why you feel the way you do and give you real, tangible tools to start feeling like yourself again. LEAVE A REVIEW: If this episode resonated with you, I'd be so grateful if you'd leave a 5-star review. It helps the right woman find this podcast when she needs it most. Keywords: PCOS PMOS weight loss, insulin resistance hormones, gut dysbiosis PCOS, Dutch test PCOS, androgen dominance weight gain, perimenopause PMOS, hormone testing functional health, blood sugar instability hormones

    28 min

  5. May 19

    177: Cortisol Isn't What Instagram Told You - The DUTCH Test Truth About Weight Gain in Perimenopause

    Social media wants you to believe your cortisol is high, that's why you can't lose weight, and here's a supplement to fix it. But what if your cortisol is actually low? What if your body is producing a ton of it and immediately deactivating it so you can't use any of it? What if the reason you're waking up at 2am has nothing to do with stress and everything to do with what you ate yesterday? In this episode — week two of the DUTCH test series — I'm clearing up the cortisol picture entirely. What it really is, what the DUTCH test actually shows us, and why guessing your cortisol is costing you years of trying everything and never feeling better. IN THIS EPISODE, YOU'LL LEARN: Why "cortisol face" isn't real — and what the internet is actually selling youThe three cortisol patterns I see most often on DUTCH tests (and how to recognize yourself in one of them)Why your body might be producing high cortisol and deactivating it so you can't use it — and what that looks like on a blood draw vs. a DUTCH testWhat late-stage adrenal burnout actually feels like from the insideWhy you're waking up at 2 or 3am — and the blood sugar connection nobody is talking aboutThe cortisol-muscle connection: why high cortisol breaks muscle down and low cortisol means your body won't invest in building itWhy you cannot out-supplement your cortisol pictureA real client story: how not eating enough was showing up as ADHD symptoms, anxiety, and total overwhelm — and what one simple change did TIMESTAMPS: 00:14 Welcome & what we're covering today  02:14 Why social media gets cortisol wrong  04:27 What cortisol actually is and what your adrenal glands are doing  06:51 Pattern 1: High cortisol your body is deactivating (cortisone)  09:04 Pattern 2: Low cortisol — the late-stage adrenal burnout picture  12:51 Pattern 3: Wrong timing — cortisol at 2am and the blood sugar connection  14:06 The cortisol and muscle connection  19:25 Why you can't out-supplement your cortisol  21:43 Client story: ADHD, under-eating, and a cortisol picture that explained everything  25:15 What to do next + the Complete Hormone Package RESOURCES: Book a Consultation — Complete Hormone Packagehttps:// l.bttr.to/EfG9n  — Not sure if this is right for you? Schedule a 20-minute consultation. I'll review your full health history and give you an honest answer on whether this is the right fit. Ready to get started? https://l.bttr.to/xPtJZ  — Complete Hormone Package is $899 (or 3 payments of $299/month). HSA and Flex spending accepted. Available through May 31st only. DM me the word DUTCH on Instagram @melissa_eich — I'll send you everything you need to get started or ask questions. 📖 Related Episodes: Episode 176: Perimenopause, Weight Gain & Detoxing Your Hormones — The DUTCH Test Series Part 1: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/176-perimenopause-weight-gain-and-the-dutch-test/id1650475536?i=1000767363294 CONNECT WITH ME: 📱 Instagram: @melissa_eich 🌐 Website: www.melissaeichwellness.com 💌 Email: melissa@melissaeichwellness.com ABOUT THE SHOW: Hosted by Melissa Eich — nervous system, hormone, and somatic coach — this podcast is for women in midlife who are doing everything right and still not feeling like themselves. We go beyond the surface and into what's actually happening inside your body, so you can stop guessing and start feeling better for real. LEAVE A REVIEW: If this episode helped something click for you, I'd be so grateful if you left a 5-star review. It helps more women find this podcast and finally get the answers they've been looking for. Keywords: cortisol and weight gain, DUTCH test cortisol, adrenal fatigue symptoms, low cortisol signs, perimenopause hormones, cortisol and muscle loss, waking up at 3am cortisol, hormone testing midlife, cortisol supplement truth, complete hormone package

    26 min

  6. May 12

    176: Perimenopause, Weight Gain, and the DUTCH Test

    Your labs came back normal. You're eating well, working out, doing everything right — and you're still gaining weight, waking up soaked in sweat, foggy by noon, and barely recognizing your own mood. In this episode, I'm breaking down why that's happening, what the DUTCH test actually shows us that standard bloodwork misses, and why perimenopause might not be the only thing driving your symptoms. IN THIS EPISODE, YOU'LL LEARN: Why you can have low estrogen and estrogen dominance at the same time — and what that does to your body What perimenopause actually looks like hormonally (hint: it's not a slow decline — it's chaos) Why night sweats are your body's last-resort detox mechanism The difference between perimenopause being a bumpy road vs. your wheels completely falling off Why HRT might not be working for you — and what needs to be in place first How I personally lost 10 lbs in 8-10 weeks once I had the right data TIMESTAMPS: 00:00 Welcome from the new office  02:20 Reiki services + in-person consultations in Tea, SD  04:25 Why I skipped two weeks of podcasting  07:30 Introducing the DUTCH Test series  08:57 Perimenopause, weight gain, and hormone detox — what's the connection?  12:54 My personal story: unexplained weight gain, night sweats, and brain fog  14:49 What my DUTCH test revealed  16:41 Estrogen dominance with low estrogen — how that's possible  18:53 What I changed and how I felt within 8-10 weeks  20:00 The perimenopause car analogy  22:38 What estrogen and progesterone actually do for your body  24:29 When it's not perimenopause — it's your environment  26:49 Why HRT isn't working for some women  28:10 The Complete Hormone Package — what's included  35:01 How to get started RESOURCES: 🧪 Book Your Free Hormone Consultation https://melissaeichcoaching.practicebetter.io/#/6490bd200e37c64b346b25c8/bookings?s=69fe864f4b36932a1ec4aba4 — Not sure if this is the right fit? Let's talk through your symptoms, your history, and what makes sense for you. 💊 Complete Hormone Package — $899 through May 31st Includes your DUTCH test, a personalized 12-week protocol, and three follow-up visits. Click below to enroll today:  https://melissaeichcoaching.practicebetter.io/#/6490bd200e37c64b346b25c8/bookings?p=69fe89114b36932a1ec4c490 Or DM me the word DUTCH on Instagram and I'll send you everything. CONNECT WITH ME: 📱 Instagram: @melissa_eich | DM me "DUTCH" to get started  🌐 Website: wwwmelissaeichwellness.com  💌 Email: melissa@melissaeichewellness.com ABOUT THE SHOW:  Hosted by Melissa Eich — nervous system, hormone, and somatic coach. Each week we talk about what's actually happening in your body and what to do about it. LEAVE A REVIEW: If this episode resonated with you, I'd be so grateful if you'd leave a 5-star review. It helps more women find this podcast and finally get answers. Keywords: perimenopause weight gain, DUTCH test hormones, estrogen dominance, hormone detox, HRT not working, midlife weight loss resistance, night sweats, brain fog hormones

    31 min

  7. Apr 21

    175: Debunking Nutritional Myths for Midlife Women

    Learn more about Nourished here: https://melissaeichwellness.com/nourished

    18 min

  8. Apr 14

    174: Why Food Rules Are Making You Feel Worse

    Learn more about Nourished here: https://melissaeichwellness.com/nourished

    27 min
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5
out of 5
60 Ratings

About

Health, hormone, burnout recovery, and business growth for female entrepreneurs. Restore your energy, grow your revenue, reclaim your life.

Information

  • Creator
    Melissa Eich
  • Years Active
    2022 - 2026
  • Episodes
    195
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Body-Led By Design
  • Show Website
    Body-Led By Design

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