GenX Hits Menopause

Heather Reilly Hiemstra

Welcome to GenX Hits Menopause, the podcast where host Heather Reilly Hiemstra dives into the unfiltered, transformative journey of midlife. Join Heather and her co-host, John Hiemstra, as they explore what it means to thrive in every stage of life through candid conversations with experts, innovators, and everyday individuals. From groundbreaking science and traditional medicine to personal stories and practical tools, this show redefines aging for a generation that’s ready to stay vibrant, confident, and unapologetically themselves. Together, we’ll challenge outdated narratives and embrace a future of health, intimacy, and empowerment—for women and men alike.

  1. Time to Glow Up | Finding Yourself in Midlife Reinvention

    2d ago

    Time to Glow Up | Finding Yourself in Midlife Reinvention

    Heather Reilly Hiemstra sits down with Heather Theisen-Gandara — certified divorce coach, former international diplomat, and founder of the Reignite Collective — to talk about what happens when the life you planned simply stops fitting. Heather T. lost 90 pounds, left a 24-year career in global diplomacy, and built an entirely new identity on the other side of an unexpected divorce at the age of 48. What actually happened here? A glow up that started from the inside out. If you've ever looked in the mirror mid-life — divorced, married, or somewhere in between — and asked who the hell am I right now, this one's for you. Conversations include: "I'm Too Old to Start Over" The lie that almost stopped Heather T. cold — and the research-backed truth that more entrepreneurs launch after 50 than at any other life stage.Reptile Brain vs. Frontal Lobe Why survival mode hijacks your best decisions during divorce and major transitions, and how grounding practices like box breathing pull you back from the alligator.The Nervous System Reset How extended fight-or-flight dysregulates your body during life upheaval — and the journaling, breathwork, and mindfulness tools Heather T. built her coaching practice around.The Capsule Closet as Crisis Management One section of your wardrobe — ironed white shirt, clean tank, the right shoes — so that on the mornings you can't think, you still show up like a rockstar.Ready to Love Again? The one-line test: if you need someone to complete your life, you're not there yet. Heather T. on building self-trust, spotting patterns (not just red flags), and what "whole" actually feels like before you let someone in.Tune in to reclaim your glow up — whether you're navigating divorce, a career pivot, a 30-year marriage, or just a closet full of clothes that no longer feel like you. Your frontal lobe called. It's time to answer. About the Guest: Heather Theisen-Gandara is a certified divorce coach and the founder of the Reignite Collective, a coaching practice dedicated to helping women over 40 rebuild confidence, clarity, and purpose after divorce. Before becoming a coach, Heather spent more than two decades in international exchange and diplomacy, working with global organizations and leading high-stakes cross-cultural initiatives. When her own 24-year marriage ended unexpectedly at 48 — pre-menopausal, youngest child freshly off to college — she project-managed her way through the legal process, then did the harder work of rebuilding from scratch. She came through it 90 pounds lighter, aligned with a new life's purpose, and focused on longevity. That reinvention became the foundation for her book The Ultimate Glow Up Guide for Women Over 40, a chapter-by-chapter, checklist-driven field manual for midlife reinvention — covering everything from nervous system regulation and journaling prompts to capsule wardrobes and drugstore skincare. Find her at @HeatherGlowsAgain on YouTube, Instagram, and Facebook. Connect with Heather at: Website: https://www.reignitecollective.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/HeatherGlowsAgainLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/heathertheisen-gandara

  2. One Omega Number Everyone Should Know

    May 28

    One Omega Number Everyone Should Know

    Host Heather Reilly Hiemstra won a drawing at the most recent SRQ Women's Expo — and what she won gave her a whole new understanding of omega fatty acid numbers and what they mean to our health & longevity. In “One Omega Number Everyone Should Know”, Heather sits down with Dr. Jeanine Fedorko, chiropractic physician and 35-year functional wellness veteran, to unpack the one ratio most doctors never test and almost nobody has in range: omega-6 to omega-3. Your body has an inflammation dial — and for 99% of Americans, it's been cranked past the safety line for years.If your joints ache, your energy flatlines, or you've been dutifully swallowing fish oil for years and still feel off — this episode will explain exactly why, and what to do about it in 120 days or less. Conversations include: The Dimmer Switch: Why the omega-6 to omega-3 ratio — not just "take fish oil" — is the master inflammation dial, and what "3-to-1" actually means for your cells. The 120-Day Rule: Your red blood cells live four months. Dr. Janine explains why that's the real minimum to judge anything you're taking — and how she quietly went from a 24-to-1 ratio to 3.6-to-1 in only sixty days. Polyphenols, Not Just Oil: Why most omega-3 products — including algae capsules — are stripped of the natural polyphenols that protect and deliver the oil, and how one Scandinavian company solved the problem by rebinding early-harvest olive oil polyphenols directly to the omega-3 molecule. The Cell Wall Problem: How a sky-high omega-6 load makes your cell walls so rigid that nothing good gets in and nothing bad gets out — and why Dr. Jeanine now says this foundation has to be fixed before her other 35 years of tools can fully work. Know Your Number: The at-home finger-prick test that costs under $200, why it almost never appears on standard lab panels, and what to do the moment your result comes back.Tune in to get your baseline, understand why foundational inflammation shapes everything from hormones to cellular repair, and finally have a concrete, testable first move on the path back to balance. About the Guest: Dr. Jeanine Fedorko is a Chiropractic physician with over 35 years of experience devoted to helping the body return to its natural state of balance and vitality. After more than three decades of practice in Ohio, she now serves the Sarasota, Florida community with a deeply integrative and intuitive approach to healing. Rather than seeing the body as a collection of symptoms, she honors the connection between the physical, emotional, chemical, and energetic layers of being. Through tools such as hair analysis, saliva hormone testing, and advanced interpretation of blood work, she uncovers the deeper imbalances that may be holding you back from true wellness. Her work extends beyond the physical. Using modalities like Emotion Code and Body Code, she gently supports the release of trapped emotions and the clearing of the Heart Wall—creating space for the body to heal as it was always designed to. Reconnective Healings reconnect us to the strings of time and strands of DNA that we have been disconnected from and put us on our life path more noticeably. What makes her approach unique is the way she weaves science and intuition together. You are not just treated—you are guided, educated, and empowered to understand your body and reconnect with its innate intelligence. Dr. Jeanine Fedorko is passionate about helping you live a natural, aligned, and vibrant life. It is her joy to support you in raising your frequency, so you can step into a more harmonious, fully expressed version of yourself. Learn more about Dr. Jeanine at:https://drjeaninefedorko.com/

  3. Get Back To Your Authentic Self

    Feb 26

    Get Back To Your Authentic Self

    In “Get Back to Your Authentic Self”, Heather sits down with Alli Williams,  a plant medicine guide, herbalist, and integrative coach at Bionic Bloom. Alli shares her own journey to healing from professional basketball – living in a "hyper masculine" way: all mind, striving, and forgetting the body. Alli reveals how she found balance and a "grounded presence" through potent, ancient allies.Join us for a deeply personal and insightful dive into the world of plant medicine and integration, and discover: The Nervous System "Vitamin": What if a subtle, legal dose could create a "little wedge" between a trigger and your reaction, leading to you being "less reactive" and feeling inexplicably "happy" days later? Allie shares the powerful, subtle shift of microdosing. The Key to Lasting Change: The experience doesn't end with the dose. Allie explains the non-negotiable step—integration—that turns clarity and insights into embodied transformation through new, healthy rituals.Tearing Down the Masks: Discover how this spiritual experience acts as a "remembrance" of your truest, unfiltered self, a “remembrance back to earth” allowing you to finally love yourself completely and realize that your authentic self is your greatest gift. Your Archetypal Blueprint: It's not one-size-fits-all. Alli reveals Bionic Bloom's highly personalized approach, which considers archetypal forces, planets, and elements to match you with the right path to healing.Alli's message is simple:  "Follow the call." Because, if this path resonates with you, it's probably the right time to listen. About Alli WilliamsAlli  believes her soul’s calling is to bridge worlds — guiding others back to wholeness by weaving together what we’ve been taught to see as separate.She brings a unique blend of academic training, professional certifications and healing modalities to guide others on their healing journey, includingPsychedelic Facilitator at Bionic Bloom, the First Legal Psychedelic Therapy Clinic in the USCertified Somatic Psychedelic FacilitatorB.S. Psychology & Minor in Exercise PhysiologyCertified Yoga Breath CoachPractitioner of Neuro Linguistic ProgrammingCertificate in NeuropsychotherapyCertification in Depth PsychologyWhite Light Reiki First DegreeConnect with Alli at https://www.alchemizewithalli.com

    38 min
  4. My Generations | The Endocannabinoid System for Women from GenX to GenZ

    Jan 30

    My Generations | The Endocannabinoid System for Women from GenX to GenZ

    In “My Generations”, host Heather Really Hiemstra and  transformational speaker Angela Hutchinson bridge thirty years difference to reveal the Endocannabinoid System (ECS) as the key to better health & homeostasis for women at every age. Homeostasis - when our body works in optimal balance - is like the perfectly mixed track, and the ECS is your soundboard.  If your moods, sleep, or libido feel out of tune with perimenopause or menopausal symptoms, listen in to learn how to master your mix. Conversations include: The ECS Decoded. Learn how messengers (cannabinoids like the "bliss molecule" anandamide), receivers (CB1/CB2 receptors), and "sexy garbage men" (enzymes) work together to balance your health and well-being. Your Pelvis is a Powerhouse. Discover why the ECS is heavily concentrated in your reproductive organs and how activating this area is the ultimate longevity hack for keeping your body's music playing strong. The Life-Boosting Power of Orgasm. Heather breaks down the science of why profound orgasms are a vital health tool, creating chemicals like DHEA to keep your bones strong and fight aging—helping you hit that biological high note. The Science of Aging. Learn how fraying telomeres can cause your ECS "soundboard" to become less receptive, leading to inflammation and a drop in libido, and what you can immediately do to support them. Plant-Based Solutions. Find out how full-spectrum hemp and botanicals like Beta-Caryophyllene and German Chamomile—delivered directly through the skin—can decrease inflammation, and even act, as one Rockstar Blends client says, like a "daily dose of Xanax”. Tune in to better understand the ECS, embrace plant wisdom, and listen as Heather & Angela open up some space around menopause and longevity. About Angela Hutchinson Angela Hutchinson is a globally recognized facilitator and keynote speaker whose transformational work is rooted in her personal survival story. As a teenager, she endured sexual abuse, which led to a period of struggle with high-functioning addiction. She realized that the same intense drive fueling addiction can also fuel entrepreneurship and be channeled into powerful creation and leadership. Today, Angela helps groups and individuals—from school districts to executive teams—turn their pain into purpose.  Her workshops integrate science, storytelling, and humor to teach tools like mindset coaching and breathwork, transforming reactive survivors into conscious, connected leaders who feel safe, seen, and free. Her journey is living proof that what once seemed a curse can become a calling.

    57 min
  5. Red Light and Blue: Our Midlife Clean Energy Future

    12/12/2025

    Red Light and Blue: Our Midlife Clean Energy Future

    In “Red Light and Methylene Blue”,  Heather dives deeper into the focus on “balance” in women's health concerns with Dr. Sarah Secor-Jones, founder of Lesh Lifestyle and an integrative medicine physician specializing in hormone health and longevity. Dr. Sarah makes it clear that finding your happy balance isn't just about hormones; it’s about optimizing the internal power systems that support and produce them. The real game-changer here: mitochondria, the powerhouses of every cell. Conversations include: The Powerhouse Organ. Why optimizing ovary health is key to combating brain fog and boosting energy during the menopausal transition. Methylene Blue, The Longevity Hero: The compelling history of Methylene Blue (from textile dye to anti-malaria drug) and how it cleans up "gummed up" mitochondria, providing instantaneous, clean energy—like switching from black-and-white to Technicolor. Dosing & Augmentation. Dr. Sarah's "ow and slow" approach to finding the right dose (typically 8-12mg), its effective use in weaning off stimulants, and the "double mitochondrial boost" achieved by combining Methylene Blue with Red Light Therapy. The CoQ10 Connection. The importance of CoQ10 as an essential electron transporter within the mitochondria and interaction with supplements like NAD. Community and Speaking Up. The critical mistake of "sitting in silence and suffer[ing] in isolation" and the necessity of finding sisterhood in communities for honest discussions about the real, often taboo issues of midlife. The One Actionable Change. Dr. Sarah’s powerful advice to “Commit to one thing to help your mitochondrial function today” as the foundational, self-given gift that provides lasting energy, making all other health goals more tolerable and achievable.  This conversation is a rallying cry for Gen X women to un-accept the status quo and start gaining agency over our own health, fueling our bodies and brains for the vibrant, healthy decades ahead of us.Dr. Sarah Secor-Jones is a board-certified Emergency Medicine physician, Lifestyle Physician, and the founder of Lesh Lifestyle, a rapidly growing integrative and regenerative women’s health practice in Sarasota. As an active military doctor, she brings unmatched discipline, precision, and real-world medical experience to her work. She specializes in health optimization helping women elevate their hormone health, metabolism, energy, cognitive performance, and longevity using evidence-based medicine, regenerative therapies, and lifestyle-driven strategies. Her approach is forward-thinking, science-backed, and designed for women who want to feel strong, sharp, and in control at every stage of life. Dr. Sarah also serves as medical faculty, training residents in both the art and science of modern medicine. She is known for her ability to simplify complex physiology, mentor with clarity, and inspire the next generation of physicians to practice with excellence. With a reputation for honesty, humor, and no-nonsense guidance, Dr. Sarah empowers women to understand their bodies, optimize their health, and make strategic decisions that support their long-term vitality. Through her masterclasses, YouTube channel, and the Women’s Health Unfiltered community, she reaches thousands of women seeking better hormone balance, more energy, and a higher quality of life.

    45 min
  6. Not the Doctors | Personalized Medicine, Personal Responsibility

    11/20/2025

    Not the Doctors | Personalized Medicine, Personal Responsibility

    In ‘Not the Doctors’, Heather sits down with ‘Nurse Gone Rogue’ Diana Nicorici for a no-holds-barred conversation about busting through corporate healthcare, becoming a multi-million-dollar pioneer, and how women especially need to retake control of their own healthcare choices. Diane went rogue for a reason - to create better outcomes for her patients. In less than three years, she flipped three suitcases into a portfolio worth $3 million. This warrior mother of five is changing the system for people who need it the most, including co-founding The Blind Investment nonprofit to help victims of domestic abuse survive and thrive in the next chapter of their lives. Conversations include Ditch the Paycheck, Break the Ceiling: How Diane went from 'pushing paralytics' at 20 to pioneering specialized care homes for ventilator clients, proving that dignity and quality of life are non-negotiable.Corporate Wellness 360 & The Cocktail: Get the insider scoop on concierge nursing for C-Suite execs and high-performance entrepreneurs, focusing on stress management and optimizing biochemistry with NAD IV protocols and anti-inflammatory diets.The Secret to Homeostasis (And Why Topical Wins): The endocannabinoid system is your body's master system for balance (sleep, hormones, inflammation) - learn how to activate it with plants!Holy Shock! The Danger of NAD IVs: If you're rushing to get an IV, stop. NAD is amazing for cell growth, but Diane delivers a critical warning: It can expedite tumor growth. Why you must get a cancer screening before you start any NAD protocol.Orgasms, Atrophy, and Anti-Aging: The one hard conversation people do want to have: how  to make your most intimate tissues explode in pleasure. We talk about ECS receptors in the reproductive system, fighting vaginal atrophy, and using Rockstar products for natural, head-to-toe collagen preservation (yes, especially right down there).Healthcare entrepreneur Diana Nicorici is the ultimate warrior mom: a retired ICU Nurse who went rogue to change the system. A now-single mother of five who stared down covert abuse and broke the mold to make a better world on the unshakable belief that we all thrive in community. She flipped her life—and three suitcases—into a portfolio worth $3 million in under three years doing better for patients under her care that the medical system where she started.  Her company Legacy Nurse Consulting, LLC., birthed the concept of the boutique nursing home - a caring collective that delivers truly comprehensive, personalized medical care and bridges the gap between healthcare and family in the local community. This is truly Bespoke Care, tailored to patients’ unique experiences, proving that self-love and dignity are non-negotiable for true healing.  Diana is  living, breathing proof that we can break through systemic limits and courageously realize our full potential, especially when it comes to taking the best care possible of our own bodies. She co-founded The Blind Investment, a 501c3 multi-state non-profit geared towards providing domestic violence transitional housing and entry level employment. Diana helps empower moms/abuse survivors with dependent children to reclaim their health, well-being  and dignity transitioning back into society and breaking the cycle of abuse.

    1h 34m
  7. Only GenX Wasteland | Toward True Leadership with Paul Karasik

    11/06/2025

    Only GenX Wasteland | Toward True Leadership with Paul Karasik

    Heather and John continue their conversation with author, leadership visionary, and entheogenic legend Paul Karasik, exploring how the modern leadership crisis mirrors a deeper spiritual one. Drawing from his book Getting High on Leadership: The Leader’s Guide to Higher Consciousness, Karasik challenges listeners to rethink what it means to lead with awareness, empathy, and authenticity. From the lost ideals of the 1960s to the burnout of today’s workforce, Only GenX Wasteland asks: how do we evolve leadership itself—so it’s no longer about power, but about presence, connection, and conscious evolution?Conversation include:The Crisis of Inauthentic LeadershipCritique of the modern epidemic of inauthentic leadership—executives and public figures who “didn’t have a clue” and whose efforts lack an “underpinning of consciousness of truth,” leaving their words empty. Consciousness as the FoundationAt the heart of both Getting High on Leadership and central to entheogenic leadership is a foundational principle about consciousness: “You can’t take anybody higher than your own consciousness.” Leaders must themselves be fully enrolled in their own vision, purpose, and personal growth. Relationships and EmpathySeeing team members, partners, and even strangers as “divine” and “equal” rather than cogs in a system transforms workplaces into living communities. Empathy, authenticity, and human connection become measurable business assets. The Integration ImperativeThe conversation revisits lessons from his experiences in the 1960s consciousness movement, which Paul says faltered due to a lack of integration. Despite an “awakening,” the movement missed the daily practice of embodying consciousness.This episode explores the many facets of Paul’s timeless message: our world’s “insanity” results from unconscious repetition of broken patterns, and lifting our consciousness is the only way to break our cycle of suffering.Paul Karasik is a pioneering thinker at the intersection of conscious leadership, personal transformation, and the modern psychedelic renaissance, with over 30 years of experience developing high-impact leadership practices for major North American organizations. As the president of The Business Institute, Paul guided executives and teams in reshaping their inner dynamics to achieve sustained external results. His work has always gone beyond merely teaching leadership “skills”—he invites leaders to explore how their inner world influences their organizational impact, creativity, collaboration, and mission fulfillment. A key milestone in his work is his book Getting High on Leadership: The Leader’s Guide to Higher Consciousness (2023/2024), which presents a roadmap for leaders to “get high” not in the sense of intoxication but in the sense of elevated consciousness, presence, and purpose. That when a leader’s awareness expands, so does the capacity of their team and the organization to produce creativity and innovation. Paul’s approach is his living through the cultural and experiential roots of the consciousness movement—his leadership since the 1960s, his study of meditation, breathwork, yoga, metaphysical sciences, and bodywork. He co-founded Thompson’s Ranch in Joshua Tree - one of the early alternative communities in America - and has worked to integrate safe, intentional practices of psychedelics into healing, leadership and transformation frameworks. Paul is also the founder of the Psychedelic Institute of Los Angeles, an international organization devoted to providing education & access to safe consciousness‐expanding technologies.

    52 min
  8. Sleep All Night, Rock All Day | Rebalance Heath

    10/24/2025

    Sleep All Night, Rock All Day | Rebalance Heath

    In  “Sleep All Night, Rock All Day”, Heather has a sparkling conversation on a very hard topic for most of us with Justin Hai, author of one of this summer’s best-selling books, "Stress Nation”.  Justin turns a strong light on the profound impact of modern stress and technology on our hormonal balance, and the critical role of sleep in supporting hormone regulation and vibrant, sexy aging. Justin is also the co-founder of Rebalance Health, which  introduces an innovative, actionable solution to the adverse effects of our constantly stimulated world, as well as the inevitable changes our bodies go through as we age - menopause and menopause both! Conversations include: Cortisol's Dual Nature While essential for bodily functions, chronic overproduction of cortisol, often triggered by technology, is a primary driver of various health issues such as brain fog, weight gain, muscle loss, & sleep disturbances.The Power of SleepQuality sleep is paramount for the body's natural hormone production & overall well-being. Learn how to prevent sleep disruptions that directly impede this vital process.Practical Stress Management Hear how 'sleep hygiene',  breathwork & other lifestyle adjustments can help us reclaim rest & manage stress effectively.HRT ConsiderationsJustin & Heather consider the pros & cons of Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT), emphasizing that every body is different and the need for personalized, professional guidance in choosing best solutions.The Rebalance Health Solution Learn about their unique sublingual solution designed for superior absorption of adaptogens that support our natural cortisol rhythm, leading to significant improvements in menopausal symptoms. Listen in for more understanding & learning ways to address every day challenges to our hormonal health. Learn how we can ~ by prioritizing sleep & making informed, intentional choices about what and how we nourish ourselves ~ rebalance our own bodies to live healthier, happier lives.

    1h 3m

About

Welcome to GenX Hits Menopause, the podcast where host Heather Reilly Hiemstra dives into the unfiltered, transformative journey of midlife. Join Heather and her co-host, John Hiemstra, as they explore what it means to thrive in every stage of life through candid conversations with experts, innovators, and everyday individuals. From groundbreaking science and traditional medicine to personal stories and practical tools, this show redefines aging for a generation that’s ready to stay vibrant, confident, and unapologetically themselves. Together, we’ll challenge outdated narratives and embrace a future of health, intimacy, and empowerment—for women and men alike.