BETTER! with Dr. Stephanie Estima | Strength, Body Composition & Perimenopause

Bret Contreras covers glute training: exercise selection (squats, RDLs, step-ups, split squats, single-leg work, abductions, kickbacks, bridges), hip thrust technique (foot placement, full extension, setup errors, machine issues), and prioritizing glute growth over quads/hamstrings.

Your muscles aren't just for moving — they're an endocrine organ, releasing hundreds of signalling molecules called myokines every time you contract them. Dr. Paul Taylor breaks down the science of myokines, why muscular power (not just strength) is the strongest predictor of how long you'll live, and why the pursuit of "skinny" is costing women their healthspan. Watch the full episode at https://youtu.be/kf7dNZUd5CA

Dr. Jolene Brighten explains why ADHD in women is so often missed, misdiagnosed, or dismissed as personality. She covers the five hormonal life stages that make ADHD symptoms worse, why perimenopause "unmasks" ADHD rather than causing it, and the food and exercise protocols that actually support an ADHD brain. Watch the full episode at https://youtu.be/stwjONj2Njg

Dr. Stephanie breaks down what hypermobility actually is — and why “just stretch more” probably isn’t the answer. She explains why strength training is key for hypermobile bodies, and if your joints click, pop, or you’ve ever been called “double-jointed,” this one’s for you. Watch the full episode at https://youtu.be/AKXgq5Qy4FE

Biomechanist Katy Bowman explains why convenience is costing us movement, not time. She discusses how thinking in ‘loads, not modes’ can rebuild bone, muscle, and mobility without a gym. It’s permission to stop measuring health by 45-minute blocks and start looking for the minutes. Watch the full episode at https://youtu.be/5WEFYURdf9c

Ever wonder how grief affects your mind and body? Grief neuroscientist Mary-Frances O’Connor dives into what happens to your body when you lose someone: the hormones, the heart health risks, the immune system shifts—everything! Check out the full episode at https://youtu.be/9p56Ppim_ek

Most of us blame pesky midlife symptoms on hormones — but there's a molecule declining right alongside estrogen that affects your energy, blood pressure, digestion, recovery, and your sex life. Cathy Eason breaks down what nitric oxide actually does in the body, how to tell if yours is running low, and what to do about it. Watch the full episode at https://youtu.be/pi-c0MxamQE

Jim Kwik — brain coach and memory expert — answers a question more urgent than ever: if you're strength training your body but outsourcing your thinking to AI, what's actually happening to your brain? Jim digs into neuroplasticity at any age, why frustration is the whole point of brain training, and his personal rule for using AI without letting your own mind go soft. Watch the full episode at https://youtu.be/WQPvtzAVcDI

World-leading bone researcher Professor Belinda Beck explains why decades of "go gentle" advice for osteoporosis was not just wrong, but actively harmful. She breaks down how heavy lifting and impact training rebuild bone density at any age, why Pilates and walking alone won't cut it, and what women should be doing right now to protect their bones. Watch the full episode at https://youtu.be/9Ughpy87Ap8

You rested it like a good girl. Weeks later, it still hurts. Orthopedic physical therapist Dr. Tom Walters explains why "just rest it" is often the worst advice for a midlife ache or injury, why pain doesn't equal damage, and how to rebuild your tissue's capacity so you can keep training through perimenopause and beyond.

Spiritual teacher and Bless & Release author Danielle LaPorte takes apart the one instruction most of us were handed about letting go: force. If you can crush every goal and still wind up anxious, depleted, and unsure who you are without the to-do list. This conversation on "spiritual fitness" and wanting what's actually meant for you is your cue to stop pushing. Watch the full episode at https://youtu.be/b0l9HcSfGpQ

Why does your body stop changing even when you're doing everything "right"? In this solo episode, Dr. Stephanie breaks down the real reasons body composition plateaus and why the scale is lying to you. She explains the science of muscle protein breakdown, why carbs are essential for building, and gives you three shifts to make this week. Watch the full episode at https://youtu.be/5j0uhZzLAlw

Is it perimenopause or autoimmunity? The symptoms are similar, and most women don’t ask. Mickey Trescott, founder of the Autoimmune Protocol movement, explains the overlap between hormonal changes and immune dysfunction in midlife. Watch the full episode at https://youtu.be/CA706_Z6clk

Dani Coleman — VP of Training at Pvolve — dismantles the fitness myths that have kept women stuck: cardio as the path to body composition, soreness as proof of a good workout, and intensity as the goal. This one's for every type-A Betty whose Apple Watch is more charged than she is.

Infrared sauna meets women's health. Connie Zack, co-founder of Sunlighten, breaks down the science of infrared light therapy — four wavelengths, real clinical research, and why 15 minutes three times a week might be the most efficient thing you can add to your protocol right now. Watch the full episode at https://youtu.be/4HFLbZrZclM

Andy Galpin, PhD — human performance scientist, muscle physiologist, and executive director of the Human Performance Center at Parker University — joins Dr. Stephanie to break down the muscle science midlife women actually need. From fast-twitch fibre loss and bone density to perimenopause recovery and the look/feel/perform triad, this one rewrites the map. Watch the full episode at https://youtu.be/gnnXgKIYv6g

Your joints aren't aging — they're underfunded. In this solo episode, Dr. Stephanie breaks down the JTL system (joints, tendons, and ligaments) — the connective tissue framework the fitness industry has never taught women to train. If you've ever had a joint start hurting for no obvious reason, this episode is for you. Watch the full episode at https://youtu.be/sDA4hgg0v70

our anxiety isn't a thinking problem. It's a feeling problem. Dr. Russell Kennedy, physician and neuroscientist, breaks down the body alarm driving your anxiety — and exactly how to heal it. Watch the full episode at: https://youtu.be/kTZtrgD1Pw8

You followed the plan. You cut the food. You did the cardio. And somehow, midlife hit, and everything stopped working — and you blamed yourself. Natalie Jill is here to dismantle the strategies that were quietly working against you, and rebuild from the ground up with what actually moves the needle after 40.

Integrative dietitian, Esther Blum, unpacks the estrogen supply chain crisis, leaving women without basic hormone care, why 70% of women aren't detoxing hormones properly (and what that means for your HRT), and why eating more — not less — is the midlife prescription most women need. Plus testosterone, carbs, and the best-kept secret of the zero F's era. Watch the full episode at https://youtu.be/9_lS_8M4cs8

You've been told your pain is either a structural problem or it's all in your head. Dr. Rachel Zoffness, pain psychologist and author of Tell Me Where It Hurts, is here to dismantle both lies. Pain is never just biological -- it's biopsychosocial, and that distinction is the difference between chasing symptoms forever and actually healing. Watch the full episode at https://youtu.be/Sc0RY-6zpHQ

Triple board-certified dermatologist Dr. Mamina Turegano breaks down what perimenopausal skin actually needs — and what you can stop buying right now. Watch the full episode at https://youtu.be/EqnYY8X9dho

Dr. Stephanie takes on lactate’s bad reputation and explains why it’s not just “exercise trash” but a powerful signal that can boost body composition, slow aging, and maximize brainpower. Watch the full episode at https://youtu.be/pfW_xKHNKPQ

Dr. Heather Hirsch, MD, Perimenopause & Mid-Life Expert, explains how treating menopause as an OB-GYN problem has deprived women of proper care — and what needs to change. From the heart and brain to bones and body composition, she lays out the full-body impact of this transition, and how to protect your health now, at any age. Watch the full episode at https://youtu.be/ME_mDKHK6jA

Dr. Dan Pardi — sleep researcher, neuroscientist, and Chief Health Officer at Qualia Life — breaks down the science of creatine that most women have never been told: why estrogen directly controls how well your cells absorb it, what three studies show it can do for a sleep-deprived brain, and how to actually start taking it without the bloating, the kidney fears, or the confusion.

Weight changes, mood swings, and digestive issues? Let's stop framing aging as a failure! Cynthia Thurlow explores how these changes during menopause can actually transform your health journey.

Dr. Juliana Hauser reveals why sexual agency is the ultimate form of self-knowledge—and how ignoring your sexual health can have life-or-death consequences. From understanding your anatomy to navigating menopause, this conversation reframes sexuality as a vital sign of wellness, not a luxury. Learn the nine pillars of holistic sexuality and why knowing your "yucks and yums" changes everything. Watch the full episode at https://youtu.be/LAFDFOPsWeQ

What if signs of aging—grey hair, brittle nails, and skin changes—are actually cellular signals we can address? Leslie Kenny went from an autoimmune diagnosis in her 30s and a five-year prognosis to being 60, autoimmune-disease-free, and giving birth at 43. Her search led her to Oxford scientists and spermidine, a food-derived longevity compound that activates autophagy and targets nine of the twelve hallmarks of aging. Watch the full episode at https://youtu.be/pFKQ3xAdSCs

You've been lied to. Not by your body — by the system that profits from you believing it's broken. Dr. Stephanie names the real villain behind decades of failed diets, shrinking goals, and body distrust: the wellness industrial complex that told you skinny equals healthy. You're not broken - you were just given the wrong map. Here's the right one at https://youtu.be/RsIC6Gm0ETM

Hormones, brain fog and the ups and downs of perimenopause—Dr. Mary Claire Haver has got you covered! Discover how to handle those hormonal rollercoaster rides, keep your bones strong and sharpen your mind.

56 million Americans are on antidepressants — and 25 million have been for more than five years. Psychiatry researcher and de-prescribing expert Dr. Mark Horowitz unpacks what antidepressants are actually doing to your brain and body over the long term, including effects on mood, weight, sleep, memory, and sexual function. Watch the full episode at https://youtu.be/30Y9eMEqltA

Did you know that moving your body is just as crucial for your brain as it is for your muscles? Dr. Tommy Wood explains how physical activity is a non-negotiable for cognitive health. Watch the full episode at https://youtu.be/nJhZnzvW-DU

Nutritionist, naturopath, and peptide formulator Kyal Van Der Leest breaks down the peptides that actually matter for midlife women — from BPC-157 (the Swiss Army knife of peptides) to GHK-Copper for skin-from-within glow-ups, to the real talk on GLP-1s that nobody's having. Watch the full episode at https://youtu.be/XFte5B2VzWI

Your brain isn't broken… it's just going through perimenopause. Neurologist Dr. Majid Fotuhi explains why your foggy, forgetful midlife brain is not only completely normal, but with the right habits, can literally grow bigger and stronger at any age. Watch the full episode at https://youtu.be/W4SkyY9OW38

Dr. Stephanie delivers a comprehensive tendon masterclass: why these underappreciated tissues deserve your attention, how they adapt differently than muscle, common injuries women over 40 sustain (lateral hip pain, rotator cuff issues, tennis elbow), and the rehab strategies that actually work. Watch the full episode at https://youtu.be/9kGdzLbGN9g

Dr. Maria Sophocles discusses the "bedroom gap" in midlife, highlighting menopause's impact on women's sexual agency. She advocates for open communication, hormone therapy, and prioritizing women's sexual health for healthier relationships. Watch the full episode at https://youtu.be/2rGEZzikqI4

Dr. Lilian Ebuoma (Harvard-trained breast radiologist) breaks down EVERYTHING about breast health—from why 7-year-olds are developing breast buds earlier than ever, to the truth about mammograms, dense breasts, and that 25% stat that'll make you want to move your body today. Watch the full episode at https://youtu.be/vi6U2V3LPok

Dr. Doug Lucas, an orthopedic surgeon, breaks down why most women are unknowingly destroying their bone density—and exactly what to do instead (spoiler: it involves prunes and proper strength training). Your future bones will thank you for listening to this one. Watch the full episode at https://youtu.be/2TYHzG71uIc

Stop calling it "estrogen"—it's a family of FOUR hormones. Dr. Felice Gersh delivers a hormone masterclass explaining why the estrogen family matters for your heart, brain, bones, and immune system. Challenge everything you think you know about menopause hormone therapy. Watch the full episode at https://youtu.be/FrkiEkm68oE

Until just a few years ago, our understanding of nerve endings in the clitoris was based on research... in COWS. Women aren't small men. And spoiler alert: we're also not small cows. Meghan Rabbitt breaks down why the clitoris is way more than just a "button" and why we're still learning basic anatomy about our own bodies in 2025. Watch the full episode at https://youtu.be/fTJaGh4ueVk

Your husband can get testosterone therapy by sneezing in his doctor's general direction, but you're told it's "just aging" and here's an SSRI. Shalin Shah is here to blow up every myth about testosterone and women's health—because spoiler alert: that brain fog, disappearing muscle, and stubborn belly fat might not be a "you" problem, it's a hormone problem. Watch the full episode at https://youtu.be/7Kf5orCNH-g

Buckle up, because we're diving into the controversial topic of weight loss, genetics, and why the growing claim that obesity is primarily genetic is not just scientifically questionable—it's potentially stripping you of your power to change your health. Watch the full episode at https://youtu.be/LgoytCUbsHw

As we wind down 2025 with this second of three solo episodes, I wanted to create a different kind of episode for you today: one that's a little shorter, a little sweeter, and completely focused on gratitude, reflection, and setting gentle intentions for the year ahead. Whether you're in your pajamas in that delicious vortex between Christmas and New Year's or you're out for a walk, I'm so glad you're here with me for this year-end reflection. Watch the full episode at https://youtu.be/dk743K5oPS0

You're not failing at fitness programs—the programs are failing YOU. Women aren't "little men with pesky hormones," and it's time to stop training like we are. Learn how to modify your training across all four weeks of your cycle (yes, even if you're perimenopausal) using the golden rule of autoregulation. Watch the full episode at https://youtu.be/arKufo_-trE

Peeing when you sneeze? Check. Low desire? Check. Confused about what's "normal" in menopause? Triple check. Dr. Rena Malik answers EVERY question we're too embarrassed to ask our doctors. This episode is for women and the people who love them. Watch the full episode at https://youtu.be/0Z0hpG9x3bA

Is your cookware affecting your health? Find out why it might be time to swap out your pans and learn about other everyday items in your home that could be disrupting your wellness goals. Catch our insightful conversation with Dr. Aly Cohen now! Watch the full episode at https://youtu.be/4t_AUD-HcGg

Does fasting seem impossible amidst life’s chaos? Dr. Chris Rhodes reveals how to access fasting benefits without fasting. This episode is perfect for the modern woman who is focusing on bone, muscle, and hormonal health. Watch the full episode at https://youtu.be/Rw-LSSCyE1w

Strength, particularly real muscular strength, and undertaking challenging tasks have been integral to women’s cultural history, a history we have only recently begun to acknowledge. Michael Joseph Gross explains how incorporating weight training into your routine can significantly enhance your quality of life, regardless of your age. Watch the full episode at https://youtu.be/FsR93SAPPeA

Feeling more sensitive to foods in your 40s? It’s not just you! Tune in to learn how hormonal changes impact your digestion and what you can do about it. Dr. Christine Maren shares tips on balancing hormones and boosting gut diversity. Watch the full episode at https://youtu.be/Ws6xyeh4EQQ

Unlock your brain's potential! Discover how meditation can transform your mind and body with Ariel Garten on the latest episode of Better with Dr. Stephanie Estima. Dive into the science of neurofeedback and boost your brain health effortlessly. Watch the full episode at https://youtu.be/v5_dP9XaQG4