Muscle, Strength and Menopause

Sara Frenza

Welcome to Muscle, Strength and Menopause with Sara Frenza, the podcast for women over 40 who refuse to accept that "nothing works anymore." I'm Sara Frenza, a certified nutrition coach, hormone and menopause coaching specialist, and creator of the Hourglass Body Method. After losing 50+ pounds in my 40s and helping 100’s of women transform their bodies, I'm here to share the science-backed strategies that actually work when your hormones are shifting. Each week, we break down the complex science of metabolic health, hormones, and muscle building and then turn it into simple, actionable steps you can implement immediately. We'll bust the myths keeping you stuck (more cardio and fewer carbs aren't the answer), share real transformation stories from women 40-65, and give you practical tools for building muscle, losing stubborn fat, and feeling powerful in your own skin. Because muscle isn't just about looking good in your jeans (though you will). It's about better body composition, stronger bones, improved mood, fewer hot flashes, higher metabolism, and the confidence to live life fully at 40, 50, 60, and beyond. This isn't about bouncing back to who you used to be. It's about rising into the strongest, most confident version of yourself yet. Topics covered in the podcast include: Menopause, Perimenopause, Post-Menopause, Hormone balance, Strength training for women over 40, Muscle building in midlife, Fat loss after 40, Metabolic health, Nutrition for hormonal health, Belly fat reduction, Weight management, Energy optimization, Sustainable lifestyle habits, Body composition, Midlife fitness, and Aging powerfully. Subscribe now, and let's turn this chapter into your most powerful one.

  1. # 30: Breathe your way to a better nervous system with Brian Coones

    20H AGO

    # 30: Breathe your way to a better nervous system with Brian Coones

    How many of you feel like you are doing everything right—strength training, hitting your protein, and eating well—yet your body is still holding on to stress, your sleep is off, and your belly fat won't budge? This week on Muscle Strength and Menopause, we are diving deep into the language of your nervous system with mindfulness teacher and emotional fitness coach, Brian Coones. Brian helps high-performing leaders master the inner skills required to thrive in high-pressure environments by blending breathwork, mindfulness, and longevity principles to regulate the nervous system and unlock sustainable performance. In this episode, Brian shares his powerful personal journey from a life-altering medical emergency to becoming a specialist in emotional regulation. We discuss why "emotional fitness" is just as critical as physical training and how mastering your breath can be the ultimate tool for physical and mental transformation. Connect with Brian Coones: Website: briancoones.com LinkedIn: Brian Coones Instagram: @briancoones Spotify: Rewire with Brian Coones TikTok: @briancoones Special Practice: Deep Daily Breathwork & Heart Coherence Meditation Want 1:1 Support with your health and fitness goals? Book a free call we have 2 programs to suit your needs: Hourglass Body Method Program (Fat loss and body transformation program)Elevated Vitality Experience (Functional Wellness Program) which includes lab testing to get the the root cause of your gut and hormone problems. We don't guess.. we test!→https://go.sarafrenzafitness.com/coaching-application-form 28 day Fat Loss Kickstart Program→ Next one starts in May 27, 2026 get on the waitlist below. https://go.sarafrenzafitness.com/registration FREE Metabolic and Hormone Assessment - Find out what is creating the weight loss resistance. https://go.sarafrenzafitness.com/hormone-metabolic-assessment-page Join my private Facebook Community (attend live podcast recordings & Q&A) Body Transformation and Fat loss for women over 40 | Facebook ‌ Perfect Sports Nutrition Supplement Use discount code FRENZA20 Home | PERFECT Sports US (CANADA SITE) Home | PERFECT Sports US (USA SITE) The makers of DIESEL Protein powder Connect with Me Say Hello! Email: sara@sarafrenzafitness.com Instagram: Functional Nutrition | Gut, Menopause & Hormone Health (@sara_frenza) • Instagram profile Shop programs, bundles & resources: https://stan.store/SaraFrenza ‌Website: Home - Sara Frenza

    36 min
  2. #29: Chronic Inflammation Is Silently Stalling Your Fat Loss - Here's How to Fight Back

    1D AGO

    #29: Chronic Inflammation Is Silently Stalling Your Fat Loss - Here's How to Fight Back

    Welcome to another episode of Muscle Strength and Menopause. I am your host, Sara Frenza, and today we are diving deep into a silent factor that might be sabotaging your progress despite your best efforts. If you have been hitting your protein goals, strength training, and tracking your food, yet the scale still won't move, you are not crazy. There is often a "slow, low-grade fire" burning inside your body called chronic inflammation. This process silently blocks fat loss, wrecks your hormones, and tanks your energy. For women over 40, menopause "turns up the volume" on this inflammation, making it even harder to see results. In this episode, I break down exactly what chronic inflammation is, why it stalls fat loss, and the five essential levers you can pull to put out the fire for good. We also discuss why mainstream medicine is finally catching up to functional health practices and why your standard blood work might not be telling the whole story. Want 1:1 Support with your health and fitness goals? Book a free call we have 2 programs to suit your needs: Hourglass Body Method Program (Fat loss and body transformation program)Elevated Vitality Experience (Functional Wellness Program) which includes lab testing to get the the root cause of your gut and hormone problems. We don't guess.. we test!→https://go.sarafrenzafitness.com/coaching-application-form 28 day Fat Loss Kickstart Program→ Next one starts in May 27, 2026 get on the waitlist below. https://go.sarafrenzafitness.com/registration FREE Metabolic and Hormone Assessment - Find out what is creating the weight loss resistance. https://go.sarafrenzafitness.com/hormone-metabolic-assessment-page Join my private Facebook Community (attend live podcast recordings & Q&A) Body Transformation and Fat loss for women over 40 | Facebook ‌ Perfect Sports Nutrition Supplement Use discount code FRENZA20 Home | PERFECT Sports US (CANADA SITE) Home | PERFECT Sports US (USA SITE) The makers of DIESEL Protein powder Connect with Me Say Hello! Email: sara@sarafrenzafitness.com Instagram: Functional Nutrition | Gut, Menopause & Hormone Health (@sara_frenza) • Instagram profile Shop programs, bundles & resources: https://stan.store/SaraFrenza ‌ Website: Home - Sara Frenza

    34 min
  3. #28: The Gut-Skin Connection Nobody Talks About

    5D AGO

    #28: The Gut-Skin Connection Nobody Talks About

    This episode of Muscle Strength and Menopause features Jennifer Valenza, founder of Skynbio (spelled as "Skin Bio" in the video), to discuss the intricate connection between the gut and skin microbiomes. Jennifer shares her personal 10-year journey of battling "fungal acne," which was often misdiagnosed and exacerbated by conventional skincare products. She explains how common ingredients like seed oils and polysorbates can inadvertently feed microbial overgrowths like Malassezia yeast, leading to chronic inflammation, rosacea, and breakouts. The conversation delves into the "root cause" approach, exploring how hormonal birth control, stress, and gut dysbiosis impact skin health. Jennifer details the science behind her "microbiome-smart" skincare line, which focuses on stopping the food source for yeast, repairing the skin barrier with building blocks like ceramides, and calming inflammation with natural botanicals. Follow Skynbio on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/skynbioskincare Skynbio website: https://skynbio.com?sca_ref=10929708.S7SVnfESwc5dwN85 Use Discount CODE: FRENZA15 Want 1:1 Support with your health & fitness goals? Book a free call we have 2 programs to suit your needs: Hourglass Body Method Program (Fat loss and body transformation program)Elevated Vitality Experience (Functional Wellness Program) which includes lab testing to get the the root cause of your gut and hormone problems. We don't guess.. we test!→https://go.sarafrenzafitness.com/coaching-application-form 28 day Fat Loss Kickstart Program→ Next one starts in May 27, 2026 get on the waitlist below. https://go.sarafrenzafitness.com/registration FREE Metabolic and Hormone Assessment - Find out what is creating the weight loss resistance. https://go.sarafrenzafitness.com/hormone-metabolic-assessment-page Join my private Facebook Community (attend live podcast recordings & Q&A) Body Transformation and Fat loss for women over 40 | Facebook ‌ Connect with Me Say Hello! Email: sara@sarafrenzafitness.com Instagram: Functional Nutrition | Gut, Menopause & Hormone Health (@sara_frenza) • Instagram profile Shop programs, bundles & resources: https://stan.store/SaraFrenza Website: Home - Sara Frenza

    49 min
  4. #27: Look Like the Woman You're Becoming

    APR 18

    #27: Look Like the Woman You're Becoming

    You've been putting in the work. The nutrition. The training. The hard conversations with yourself about who you are and what you want in this next chapter. But here's something most women in midlife never think about: your wardrobe might be the one thing holding your confidence hostage. Today's guest is Renee Lindo, and she is not your average stylist. Before she ever styled a client, Renee was a national sales director in the pharmaceutical industry leading high-performing teams and winning top industry awards. And the whole time, she was quietly using her wardrobe as a strategic tool. Not for vanity. For power. For presence. For walking into a room and being taken seriously before she ever said a word. Now she helps high-achieving women over 40 do exactly the same thing. In this episode, Renee and I are talking about something that does not get nearly enough airtime in the health and fitness space: the connection between physical transformation and how you show up visually in the world. Because here is the truth. When your body is changing, your identity is changing too. And if your closet still reflects the woman you used to be, there is a disconnect that no amount of gym time can fix. We get into why women over 40 feel so lost in their wardrobes right now, how to start rebuilding when nothing feels like it fits anymore, and what it actually looks like to dress for the woman you are becoming, not the one you used to be. This one is going to hit different. I promise. Connect with Renee at letsgetdressednow.com and follow her on Instagram @‌reneelindo_style. Links & resources Apply to work with our team 1:1 in one of our signature programs. We have our Hourglass Body Method Program (Fat loss and body transformation program) Elevated Vitality Experience (Functional Wellness Program)→https://go.sarafrenzafitness.com/coaching-application-form 28 day Fat Loss Kickstart Program→ Next one starts in May 27, 2026 get on the waitlist below. https://go.sarafrenzafitness.com/registration 7-Day Hormone Reset & Fat Loss Starter Challenge https://go.sarafrenzafitness.com/7day-fatloss-starter‌ FREE Metabolic and Hormone Assessment - Find out what is creating the weight loss resistance. https://go.sarafrenzafitness.com/hormone-metabolic-assessment-page Connect with Me Say Hello! Email: sara@sarafrenzafitness.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sara_frenza/Shop programs, bundles & resources: https://stan.store/SaraFrenza‌ Website: Home - Sara Frenza

    41 min
  5. #26: Estrogen Dominance Explained: The Root Cause Nobody Told You About in Perimenopause

    APR 10

    #26: Estrogen Dominance Explained: The Root Cause Nobody Told You About in Perimenopause

    If you have been dealing with bloating, breast tenderness, mood swings, anxiety, or belly fat that will not move no matter what you try, this episode is for you. I walk through estrogen dominance from a functional nutrition and root cause perspective: what it actually is, why perimenopause makes you uniquely vulnerable, and the four root causes driving it including gut health, liver detoxification, xenoestrogens, and the insulin-aromatase connection that most practitioners never discuss. I also explain exactly how the body metabolizes estrogen through three detoxification pathways, what the DUTCH test (Dried Urine Test for Comprehensive Hormones) reveals about your estrogen metabolism, and how this tool is used in functional medicine wellness to stop guessing and start addressing the real problem. Links & resources 28 day Fat Loss Kickstart Program→ Next one starts in May 27, 2026 get on the waitlist below. ⁠https://go.sarafrenzafitness.com/registration ⁠ 7-Day Hormone Reset & Fat Loss Starter Challenge ⁠https://go.sarafrenzafitness.com/7day-fatloss-starter⁠‌ FREE Metabolic and Hormone Assessment - Find out what is creating the weight loss resistance. ⁠https://go.sarafrenzafitness.com/hormone-metabolic-assessment-page ⁠ Apply for for our Coaching programs →⁠https://go.sarafrenzafitness.com/coaching-application-email ⁠ Join my private Facebook Community (attend live podcast recordings & Q&A) ⁠Body Transformation and Fat loss for women over 40 | Facebook⁠ ‌ Get your Personalized Food List to lose peri/menopausal belly fat. → ⁠https://go.sarafrenzafitness.com/food-list ⁠ Perfect Sports Nutrition Supplement Use discount code FRENZA20 ⁠Home | PERFECT Sports US⁠ (CANADA SITE) ⁠Home | PERFECT Sports US⁠ (USA SITE) The makers of DIESEL Protein powder Connect with Me Say Hello! Email: ⁠sara@sarafrenzafitness.com⁠ Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/sara_frenza/⁠ Shop programs, bundles & resources: ⁠https://stan.store/SaraFrenza⁠ ‌ Website: ⁠Home - Sara Frenza⁠

    26 min
  6. #25: Mistakes to Avoid If You are Using GLP1 for Weight Loss

    APR 4

    #25: Mistakes to Avoid If You are Using GLP1 for Weight Loss

    In this podcast, I go over the common mistakes women in perimenopause and menopause make when using GLP-1 medications for weight loss. I discuss why these medications can lead to significant muscle and bone loss if not managed correctly and provide a science-backed strategy to protect your metabolism while using them. REGISTRATION OPEN for my 28-Day Menopause Fat Loss Program → Next one starts in April 11 2026, get on the waitlist below. ⁠https://go.sarafrenzafitness.com/registration⁠ Links & resources Join the 7-Day Hormone Reset & Fat Loss Starter Challenge → ⁠https://go.sarafrenzafitness.com/7day-fatloss-starter⁠ ‌ FREE Metabolic and Hormone Assessment - Find out what is creating the weight loss resistance. ⁠https://go.sarafrenzafitness.com/hormone-metabolic-assessment-page⁠ Apply for 1:1 Nutrition and Fitness Coaching program →⁠https://go.sarafrenzafitness.com/coaching-application-email⁠ Join my private Facebook Community (attend live podcast recordings & Q&A) ⁠Body Transformation and Fat loss for women over 40 | Facebook⁠ ‌ Get your Personalized Food List to lose peri/menopausal belly fat. → ⁠https://go.sarafrenzafitness.com/food-list⁠ Perfect Sports Nutrition Supplement Use discount code FRENZA20 ⁠ Home | PERFECT Sports US⁠ (CANADA SITE) ⁠ Home | PERFECT Sports US⁠ (USA SITE) The makers of DIESEL Protein powder Connect with Me Say Hello! Email: ⁠sara@sarafrenzafitness.com⁠ Instagram: ⁠Menopause Fat loss Coach (@sara_frenza) • Instagram profile⁠ Shop programs, bundles & resources: ⁠https://stan.store/SaraFrenza⁠ ‌ Website: ⁠Home - Sara Frenza⁠

    27 min
  7. #24: 5 ways to Lower Your Cortisol and Finally Lose the Belly Fat

    MAR 19

    #24: 5 ways to Lower Your Cortisol and Finally Lose the Belly Fat

    FREE MASTERCLASS March 24th at 6:30 pm EST: The Belly Fat Fix: How to Balance Cortisol and Burn Fat After 40 in 28 Days. Reserve your free seat → https://go.sarafrenzafitness.com/belly-fat-fix-masterclass Do you feel like you’re doing everything right—eating clean, hitting the gym, cutting back on wine—but the scale won't budge and your belly fat is only increasing? In this episode of Muscle Strength and Menopause, I explain why the standard "eat less, move more" advice often fails women over 40. The missing piece of the puzzle is often cortisol. Discover how chronic stress and elevated cortisol levels actively work against your fat loss goals by breaking down muscle, increasing insulin resistance, and targeting fat storage directly to your midsection. I break down the science behind the HPA axis and provides five concrete, evidence-based strategies to lower your cortisol and finally see results in perimenopause and menopause. Links & resources Join the 7-Day Hormone Reset & Fat Loss Starter Challenge → https://go.sarafrenzafitness.com/7day-fatloss-starter ‌ Join the waitlist for the 28-Day Menopause Fat Loss Kickstart Challenge → Next one starts in April 11 2026, get on the waitlist below. https://go.sarafrenzafitness.com/vip-waitlist FREE Metabolic and Hormone Assessment - Find out what is creating the weight loss resistance. https://go.sarafrenzafitness.com/hormone-metabolic-assessment-page Apply for 1:1 Nutrition and Fitness Coaching program →https://go.sarafrenzafitness.com/coaching-application-email Join my private Facebook Community (attend live podcast recordings & Q&A) Body Transformation and Fat loss for women over 40 | Facebook Get your Personalized Food List to lose peri/menopausal belly fat. → https://go.sarafrenzafitness.com/food-list Connect with Me Say Hello! Email: sara@sarafrenzafitness.com Instagram: Menopause Fat loss Coach (@sara_frenza) • Instagram profile Shop programs, bundles & resources : https://stan.store/SaraFrenza ‌ Website: Home - Sara Frenza

    27 min
  8. #23: What You Need to Know About Peptides with Dr. Kristi Sawicki

    MAR 18

    #23: What You Need to Know About Peptides with Dr. Kristi Sawicki

    In this episode of the Muscle Strength and Menopause podcast, I am joined by Dr. Kristi Sawicki, a molecular oncology scientist and longevity educator, to discuss the rapidly evolving world of peptides. They explore how these small protein molecules can serve as powerful tools for women over 40 to optimize their metabolic health, improve body composition, and support long-term wellness. Dr. Sawicki shares her personal journey with growth hormone peptides and GLP-1s, breaking down the science behind different "stacks" and emphasizing the critical importance of maintaining foundational health habits like strength training and proper nutrition alongside peptide use. Connect with Dr. Kristi Sawicki Kristi Sawicki, PhD, is a molecular oncology scientist and longevity educator with expertise in precision medicine, metabolic health, and hormone optimization. She specializes in translating cutting-edge science into practical strategies to help people improve body composition, energy, and long-term health. She is the founder of Longevity with Kristi. To learn more about Dr. Kristi’s work, access her private coaching, or join her educational community, use the links below: Website: ⁠www.longevitywithkristi.com⁠ Email: ⁠kristi@longevitywithkristi.com⁠ Instagram: ⁠@drkristi.sawicki⁠ Links & resources FREE MASTERCLASS March 24th at 6:30 pm EST: The Belly Fat Fix: How to Balance Cortisol and Burn Fat After 40 in 28 Days. Reserve your free seat → ⁠https://go.sarafrenzafitness.com/belly-fat-fix-masterclass⁠ Join the 7-Day Hormone Reset & Fat Loss Starter Challenge → ⁠https://go.sarafrenzafitness.com/7day-fatloss-starter⁠ ‌ Join the waitlist for the 28-Day Menopause Fat Loss Kickstart Challenge → Next one starts in April 11 2026, get on the waitlist below. ⁠https://go.sarafrenzafitness.com/vip-waitlist⁠ FREE Metabolic and Hormone Assessment - Find out what is creating the weight loss resistance. ⁠https://go.sarafrenzafitness.com/hormone-metabolic-assessment-page⁠ Apply for 1:1 Nutrition and Fitness Coaching program →⁠https://go.sarafrenzafitness.com/coaching-application-email⁠ Join my private Facebook Community (attend live podcast recordings & Q&A) ⁠Body Transformation and Fat loss for women over 40 | Facebook⁠ ‌ Connect with Me Say Hello! Email: ⁠sara@sarafrenzafitness.com⁠ Instagram: ⁠Menopause Fat loss Coach (@sara_frenza) • Instagram profile⁠ Shop programs, bundles & resources: ⁠https://stan.store/SaraFrenza⁠ ‌ Website: ⁠Home - Sara Frenza⁠

    44 min

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About

Welcome to Muscle, Strength and Menopause with Sara Frenza, the podcast for women over 40 who refuse to accept that "nothing works anymore." I'm Sara Frenza, a certified nutrition coach, hormone and menopause coaching specialist, and creator of the Hourglass Body Method. After losing 50+ pounds in my 40s and helping 100’s of women transform their bodies, I'm here to share the science-backed strategies that actually work when your hormones are shifting. Each week, we break down the complex science of metabolic health, hormones, and muscle building and then turn it into simple, actionable steps you can implement immediately. We'll bust the myths keeping you stuck (more cardio and fewer carbs aren't the answer), share real transformation stories from women 40-65, and give you practical tools for building muscle, losing stubborn fat, and feeling powerful in your own skin. Because muscle isn't just about looking good in your jeans (though you will). It's about better body composition, stronger bones, improved mood, fewer hot flashes, higher metabolism, and the confidence to live life fully at 40, 50, 60, and beyond. This isn't about bouncing back to who you used to be. It's about rising into the strongest, most confident version of yourself yet. Topics covered in the podcast include: Menopause, Perimenopause, Post-Menopause, Hormone balance, Strength training for women over 40, Muscle building in midlife, Fat loss after 40, Metabolic health, Nutrition for hormonal health, Belly fat reduction, Weight management, Energy optimization, Sustainable lifestyle habits, Body composition, Midlife fitness, and Aging powerfully. Subscribe now, and let's turn this chapter into your most powerful one.

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