Movement Logic: Strong Opinions, Loosely Held

A story about one Olympic hopeful can make the pill sound risky for every teen athlete. In Part 2 of our Make It Make Sense series on the Diary of a CEO women’s health roundtable, we compare Mary Claire Haver’s story about her niece and Vonda Wright’s warnings about girls’ bones with what the research actually says.We examine what lower testosterone can and can’t tell us about athletic performance, why bone health concerns depend on the contraceptive method, and where Natalie Crawford’s warnings about hormonal IUDs go wrong. Drawing on our interview with Dr. Kemi Doll and commentary from Dr. Jen Gunter, we explain why a period suppressed by medication is different from one that stops unexpectedly, and unpack the claim that the placebo week gives your brain a “break.”We also ask what gets left out when the conversation focuses on what might go wrong if someone takes birth control. A compelling anecdote can make an uncertain risk feel inevitable, while the costs of leaving pain or heavy bleeding untreated—or going without contraception—barely enter the discussion.Free Barbell Mini Course—SIGN UPFOLLOW @themovementlogic on InstagramVisit our WEBSITE00:00 Introduction and Part 1 recap02:24 Mary Claire Haver on the pill and teen athletic performance18:09 Vonda Wright’s warnings about girls’ bone health36:31 Natalie Crawford’s claims about hormonal IUDs and estrogen48:34 Dr. Jen Gunter on hormonal IUDs and fertility55:11 Is having a period proof of good health?1:03:39 The seven-day pill break and the “brain break” claim1:10:46 Who benefits from birth control misinformation?RESOURCESMovement Logic Episode 141: Part 1 of our Diary of a CEO roundtable reviewMovement Logic Interview: Birth Control, Hormones, and Menopause with Dr. Kemi DollThe Diary of a CEO women’s health roundtableDr. Jen Gunter’s article: Can the Pill Cause Depression for Teens?Elliott-Sale et al. (2020), systematic review: Oral contraceptives and exercise performance in womenNolan et al. (2024), systematic review: Oral contraceptives and gains in muscle size, strength, and power after resistance trainingDr. Jen Gunter’s Reel responding to Natalie Crawford’s claims about hormonal IUDs Dr. Natalie Crawford’s Reel on hormonal IUDs and fertility, discussed in Dr. Jen Gunter’s response

Does Diary of a CEO’s discussion of hormonal birth control help women make informed choices—or give them more reasons to fear effective medications? We examine Steven Bartlett’s roundtable with Dr. Mary Claire Haver, Dr. Natalie Crawford, Dr. Vonda Wright, and Dr. Stacy Sims, comparing the panel’s claims with research and expert guidance.We unpack claims about ovulation, menstruation, cycle tracking, and the supposed need for a monthly pill break, explaining why medically suppressing menstruation differs from losing your period because of an underlying health problem. We also examine birth control described as a “crutch,” symptom relief dismissed because it isn’t a cure, and cold exposure proposed for endometriosis based on pilot data.Drawing on our interview with Dr. Kemi Doll and writing from Dr. Jen Gunter, we examine how alarming anecdotes, “natural” versus “synthetic” hormones, and benefits followed by a big BUT shape the message. We ask who benefits when legitimate failures in women’s healthcare become opportunities to build distrust, sell alternatives, and undermine informed reproductive choices.WATCH on YouTubeFree Barbell Mini Course—SIGN UP FOLLOW @themovementlogic on InstagramVisit our WEBSITE www.themovementlogic.comRESOURCESThe Diary of a CEO roundtable: Hormone & Fertility Experts: We’ve Been Lied To About Women’s Health! If This Happens, Call A DoctorOur interview with Dr. Kemi Doll: Birth Control, Hormones, and Menopause: When Medicine Fails and Wellness Cashes InThe Vajenda by Dr. Jen Gunter Movement Logic ep 113: Debunking Menopause Grifters: Dr. Mary Claire Haver and Dr. Vonda Wright Movement Logic ep 111: Make Stacy Sims Make Sense Article: Study Suggests Increase in Deaths During or Within One Year of Pregnancy in States that Imposed Abortion Bans2020 paper by Naj-mabadi et alCatholic church story - “The 7-day contraceptive hormone-free interval should be consigned to history” from 2018

In this episode, we talk with Dr. Kemi Doll, a double board-certified OB-GYN and gynecologic oncologist, about endometriosis, fibroids, uterine cancer, PMOS, and hormonal birth control. We examine how wellness influencers exploit real experiences of medical dismissal to promote fear, undermine trust in established treatments, and sell alternatives.We discuss what hormonal contraception offers beyond preventing pregnancy, why suppressing ovulation or menstruation isn’t automatically harmful, and how language like “hormone balancing” and “treating the root cause” can misrepresent effective medical care. Dr. Doll also explains the recent renaming of PCOS to PMOS and raises concerns about estrogen regimens that extend beyond what has been adequately studied.Drawing on her book, A Terrible Strength, Dr. Doll explains how women’s suffering, especially Black women’s suffering, becomes normalized and undertreated, and how gaps in research and diagnostic practices contribute to delayed care. She makes the case for better medical communication, meaningful informed choice, and taking women’s symptoms seriously without turning their health into a wellness trend.Free Barbell Mini Course—SIGN UP FOLLOW @themovementlogic on InstagramRESOURCESDr. Kemi’s website |  Instagram | LinkedInDr. Kemi’s Book A Terrible Strength: The Hidden Crisis of the Black Womb and Your Survival Guide to Healing by Dr. Kemi Doll.The GRACE CenterACOG patient resources for gynecologic health information.ECANA for uterine cancer and abnormal bleeding information.UpToDate patient education for more detailed explanations of conditions, treatments, and evidence.The Menopause SocietyDr. Kemi Doll’s Instagram Reel challenging birth control misinformationDr. Jen Gunter’s conversation with Dr. Kemi Doll

In this episode, Sarah Court and Laurel Beversdorf investigate the bone supplement company AlgaeCal and ask whether its marketing claims are supported by good evidence. They unpack the company's promotion of algae-derived calcium, its use of strontium supplements to claim increases in bone density, and why improvements on a DEXA scan don't necessarily mean stronger bones. Along the way, they explain how appeals to nature, authority, and fear are used to sell expensive supplements to women worried about osteoporosis.The conversation also examines the growing "doctor-to-brand pipeline," using Dr. Vonda Wright as a case study in how medical authority can become intertwined with supplement marketing. Sarah and Laurel discuss why they declined an invitation to collaborate with AlgaeCal, why exercise remains the cornerstone of bone health, and how consumers can recognize misleading health claims before spending hundreds of dollars on products that may not deliver meaningful benefits.FREE Barbell Mini Course when you get on our mailing listFOLLOW Movement Logic on InstagramWATCH Movement Logic on YouTubeLEARN MORE on the Movement Logic websiteFoldable Home Barbell Rack by Verse, coupon code MovementLogic10%OFF at checkoutRESOURCES92: Make Dr. Loren Fishman Make Sense91: LIFTMOR, Not Less: An Interview with Belinda Beck93: Should You Avoid Spinal Flexion with Osteoporosis?113: Debunking Menopause Grifters: Mary Claire Haver and Vonda WrightDoctor vs Brand Instagram Post

SIGN UP Lift for Longevity. Enrollment closes Sunday, September 20th. Classes begin September 28th.In this episode, we talk with Lift for Longevity participant Julie Wright about beginning strength training in her mid-sixties after an osteoporosis diagnosis. Julie had never touched a barbell before joining the course. After completing Lift for Longevity three times, she has progressed from deadlifting 28 pounds to 100 pounds for reps, increased her bench press from 20 to 53 pounds, built visible muscle, returned to jumping in ballet, and become more hopeful about aging, traveling, and continuing to dance.We also examine Julie’s follow-up DEXA, which initially appeared to show a dramatic improvement from osteoporosis to osteopenia at nearly every measured site. We explain why scans performed at different facilities can’t provide a clean comparison and how raw bone-mineral-density values, machine calibration, arthritis, and strontium complicated the results. Julie’s story shows why DEXA matters—but also why strength, muscle, power, confidence, and the ability to keep doing what you love might matter more.SIGN UP Lift for Longevity. Enrollment closes Sunday, September 20th. Classes begin September 28th.FOLLOW @TheMovementLogic on InstagramRESOURCESLift for LongevityJulie's websiteListen to Dr. Lora Giangregorio on the Movement Logic Podcast

In this episode, we look back at how our thinking about exercise has changed over the years, from our beginnings in yoga and physical therapy to strength training, bone density, power, fall prevention, and longevity. We talk about the ideas we stopped believing, the evidence that changed our minds, why “lift heavy shit” was an important corrective but ultimately an incomplete message, and how all of this has shaped the newest version of Lift for Longevity.We also get into what we’ve learned from teaching the course four times, why we’re removing exercises that create unnecessary friction, why AMRAPs are becoming a much bigger part of the program, and how we’re incorporating more power, balance challenges, and structured impact training.SIGN UP Free Strength Class on September 8th with replay!FOLLOW @TheMovementLogic on InstagramFOLDABLE HOME BARBELL RACK by Verse, use coupon code MovementLogic10%OFF at checkoutRESOURCES107: Does It Have To Be Heavy?49: You Don’t Know How Strong You Are, Says Research36: Somatic DominanceLoren Fishman et al.: Twelve-Minute Daily Yoga Regimen Reverses Osteoporotic Bone Loss paperLIFTMOR TrialKistler-Fischbacher Systematic Review with Meta-Analysis91: LIFTMOR, Not Less: An Interview with Professor Belinda BeckDr. Lora Giangregorio on the Movement Logic PodcastDr. Stuart Phillips on the Movement Logic PodcastStu Phillips postKorpelainen paper

In this episode, we talk with bone health researcher Dr. Lora Giangregorio about what the evidence really says about resistance training, impact exercise, menopause, fracture prevention, balance, and falls. We also get into claims from OsteoStrong, why not all published research deserves equal weight, and why confident claims about the “best” way to build bone often outrun the evidence.We discuss why bone loss around menopause can’t simply be blamed on inactivity, what we do and don’t know about heavy versus moderate versus light resistance training, why strength and impact are so difficult to separate in bone research, and why improving bone density is only one part of reducing fracture risk.Dr. Giangregorio also explains why getting better at standing on one leg isn’t necessarily the same thing as becoming less likely to fall, why yoga wouldn’t be her first choice for fall prevention, how to progress impact training without jumping straight into high-force exercises, and why real-world exercise programs need to adapt to the person rather than force everyone into the same supposedly “optimal” program.SIGN UP Free Strength Class on September 8th with replay!FOLLOW @TheMovementLogic on InstagramFOLDABLE HOME BARBELL RACK by Verse, use coupon code MovementLogic10%OFF at checkoutRESOURCESDr. Lora Giangregorio’s website and Instagram Bones Lab YouTube channelHer approach to starting and progressing impact trainingHer summary of different aspects of balanceBlog post on impact training

In part two of their deep dive into Louisa Nicola's claims about Alzheimer's prevention, Sarah and Laurel continue examining the scientific evidence behind some of her most widely shared social media posts, podcast appearances, and paid programs. Building on the foundation laid in part one, they fact-check claims about menopause, hormone therapy, Zone 5 training, heavy resistance training, creatine, and other interventions that Nicola presents as essential for protecting the brain. Throughout the episode, they compare her messaging with the available research, including randomized controlled trials, systematic reviews, and major clinical guidelines, highlighting where mechanistic theories are presented as established clinical facts and where evidence is overstated or misrepresented.The conversation then shifts from individual scientific claims to the broader marketing strategy behind Nicola's business. Sarah and Laurel analyze her paid products, including Brain Code and the $5,000 Decode Panel, discussing how fear-based messaging, appeals to authority, and selective use of research can drive consumers toward expensive products and testing. They contrast these approaches with the evidence-based recommendations from organizations like The Lancet Commission and the Alzheimer's Association, emphasizing that meaningful risk reduction is built on well-established lifestyle factors rather than highly specific protocols or premium wellness services. They close by discussing why influencers like Nicola resonate with audiences, where they see similar patterns among other health personalities, and why careful interpretation of evidence matters when communicating about diseases as frightening as Alzheimer's.SIGN UP FOR THE INTEREST LIST for Lift for LongevityFREE Barbell Mini Course when you get on our mailing listFOLLOW Movement Logic on InstagramWATCH Movement Logic on YouTubeLEARN MORE on the Movement Logic websiteFoldable Home Barbell Rack by Verse, coupon code MovementLogic10%OFF at checkoutRESOURCES134 Make Louisa Nicola Make Sense, Part 1113 Debunking Menopause Grifters Mary Claire Haver and Vonda Wright92 Make Dr. Loren Fishman Make SenseAlzheimer's Association 2025 factsheetThe Lancet CommissionMosconi et al. (2021)Correction: In this episode, Laurel cites a study erroneously as being from the Lancet. It's not from the Lancet, it's the Generation 100 study. PMID: 34878637Resistance training and brain aging study Creatine Monohydrate Pilot in Alzheimer'sThe Menopause Society Pauline Maki Diary of a CEO episode with Louisa Nicola

In this episode, Sarah Court and Laurel Beversdorf begin a two-part investigation into Louisa Nicola and the rapidly growing industry built around Alzheimer's prevention, brain optimization, and women's brain health. They examine how legitimate scientific concerns about dementia become transformed into highly marketable narratives, and explain the difference between what current evidence supports and what many online health personalities confidently claim.Sarah and Laurel break down the strongest evidence on dementia prevention, including findings from the 2024 Lancet Commission, and discuss what is known about exercise, vascular health, hearing, vision, education, social connection, and other modifiable risk factors. They also introduce concepts they call mechanism theater, evidence cosplay, and the fear-to-action marketing pipeline, showing how preliminary research is often stretched into certainty to sell protocols, supplements, and personal brands. Along the way, they critically examine several of Nicola's most common claims—including that Alzheimer's starts in your 30s, that women face six times the risk, and that heavy resistance training is uniquely protective—and compare those claims with the available evidence.Part 2 of this series will continue the investigation into Louisa Nicola's recommendations, products, and marketing strategies.SIGN UP FOR THE INTEREST LIST for Lift for LongevityFREE Barbell Mini Course when you get on our mailing listFOLLOW Movement Logic on InstagramWATCH Movement Logic on YouTubeLEARN MORE on the Movement Logic websiteFoldable Home Barbell Rack by Verse, coupon code MovementLogic10%OFF at checkoutRESOURCES113: Debunking Menopause Grifters: Dr Mary Claire Haver and Dr. Vonda Wright111: Make Stacy Sims Make SenseCorrection: In this episode, Laurel cites a study erroneously as being from the Lancet. It's not from the Lancet, it's the Generation 100 study. PMID: 34878637The Lancet Commission: Dementia Prevention, Intervention, and Care: 2024 ReportAlzheimer's Association 2025 Fact SheetNeuro AthleticsNarrative review on resistance training and Alzheimer's disease (co-authored by Louisa Nicola)Dr. Vonda Wright podcast featuring Louisa NicolaThe Diary of a CEO podcast featuring Louisa NicolaAPOE4 and Alzheimer's disease researchNew England Journal of Medicine (2024) biomarker study on preclinical Alzheimer's disease

In this episode, Sarah Court and Laurel Beversdorf continue their conversation with Dr. Stu Phillips, one of the world's leading protein researchers. They dig into the latest ACSM Position Stand on Resistance Training, unpacking what it actually says about strength, hypertrophy, power, progressive overload, and why many of the debates happening online are driven more by certainty than by evidence.They also explore why protein has "jumped the shark," how marketing has outpaced the science, whether menopausal women really need dramatically more protein, and why consistency—not optimization—is still the most powerful exercise strategy. Throughout the conversation, Stu explains why scientific nuance often gets lost on social media and why changing your mind when new evidence emerges is a strength, not a weakness.FREE Barbell Mini Course when you get on our mailing listFOLLOW Movement Logic on IGWATCH Movement Logic on YouTubeLEARN MORE on the Movement Logic websiteFoldable Home Barbell Rack by VerseCoupon code: MovementLogic10%OFF at checkoutRESOURCES ACSM Position Stand on Resistance Training ACSM Health & Fitness Journal special issue on power training Stu Phillips — Protein Jumped the Shark (2025 article)