The Belly Fat Episode: The Truth About Muscle Loss, Menopause, and Midlife Fatigue

You’re eating healthy. You’re working out. You’ve cut sugar, carbs, and wine. But the belly fat is still there and no one is giving you answers. This episode connects all the dots. Dr. Rocio Salas-Whalen, a triple board-certified endocrinologist, joins Tamsen to explain exactly what’s happening inside your body during midlife and what you can finally do to feel better in it. Hormones. Insulin. Thyroid. Stress. Sleep. It’s all part of the story, and Dr. Rocio gives women the real talk they’re not getting in most doctors’ offices. This is the episode that clears the confusion and gives you the clarity you’ve been craving. What they talk about: -Why fat accumulates around the belly in perimenopause and how to reverse it -The exact lab markers to request to check for insulin resistance and early prediabetes -How to know if your thyroid is working against you, even with “normal” results -What visceral fat is, why it's so dangerous, and the proven ways to reduce it -How stress, poor sleep, and cortisol spikes make weight loss nearly impossible and how to fix it -What to eat (and when) to balance blood sugar and reduce inflammation -How to advocate for better care if your doctor won’t dig deeper Loving The Tamsen Show podcast? If you have a moment, your review could be the reason another woman finally hears the thing she’s been needing. Watch full video episodes on YouTube Get Tamsen’s new book, How To Menopause: Take Charge of Your Health, Reclaim Your Life and Feel Even Better Than Before Follow The Tamsen Show on Instagram Follow Tamsen on Instagram Follow Tamsen on TikTok Want more from Dr. Rocio Salas-Whalen? Visit here website For the latest updates on her upcoming book, follow her on social media. If you loved this episode, you're going to love our hour long episode about Hormone Therapy with leading OBGYN Dr. Sharon Malone. Medical Disclaimer: The information provided in this podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. Always consult with a qualified healthcare professional regarding any medical concerns or treatment options. The views expressed by guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of The Tamsen Show. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Are you the one who always says yes? Who fixes, accommodates, anticipates, and quietly resents it later? In this week’s episode, Tamsen sits down with psychotherapist and bestselling author Terri Cole to talk about the hidden habits of high -functioning codependents, especially in midlife, during perimenopause, or after a major life shift. In this episode, you'll learn: - What high-functioning codependency actually looks like and why most women don’t recognize it -How menopause can be a wake-up call for self-abandonment -Why so many women feel emotionally drained in midlife and what to do about it -How to unpack the patterns we learn in childhood that shape how we caretake and over-function -The scripts and boundary tools to help you say no, protect your energy, and finally consider yourself This is a must-listen for anyone who feels like they’re doing it all, but losing themselves in theprocess. Watch the full video episode here Get Tamsen's new book, How To Menopause: Take Charge of Your Health, Reclaim Your Life and Feel Even Better Than Before. 💖 Follow The Tamsen Show on Instagram Follow Tamsen on Instagram Follow Tamsen on TikTok Find more about Terri Cole and her work on her website Medical Disclaimer: The information provided in this podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. Always consult with a qualified healthcare professional regarding any medical concerns or treatment options. The views expressed by guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of The Tamsen Show. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

If you’ve ever wondered why certain relationships feel so hard or why you’ve spent a lifetime craving a kind of love you can’t quite name, this special Mother’s Day edition will give you language for what you’ve lived. Tamsen sits down with licensed professional counselor and bestselling author Kelly McDaniel to talk about Mother Hunger, a term she coined to describe the deep, often hidden longing many women carry from not getting the love, protection, or guidance they needed as daughters. They talk about: - Why so many women struggle with emotional eating, self-worth, and romantic patterns—and how it ties back to early attachment - What “mother hunger” really means, and why most women don’t recognize it until midlife - How your earliest experiences shape your relationships, your body image, and your ability to trust - The emotional cost of caring for a mother who couldn’t care for you - What it means to crave love that feels safe, steady, and nourishing - How to begin healing, even if your mother is gone, unavailable, or unwilling - Why midlife is often the moment women finally face the grief they’ve been carrying for decades - How unresolved mother hunger can show up in love, sex, food, and friendships and what to do about it - Whether forgiveness is necessary in order to move on and what to do if an apology never comes This episode is for every woman who has ever said “I’m fine” when she wasn’t and is finally ready to tell herself the truth. Watch the Full Episode Here: https://www.youtube.com/@TamsenFadalTV Get my new book, How To Menopause, Take Charge of Your Health, Reclaim Your Life and Feel Even Better Than Before 💖 http://www.howtomenopause.com  Follow The Tamsen Show:  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thetamsenshow/ Follow Tamsen Fadal: Website: https://www.tamsenfadal.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tamsenfadal Tik Tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@tamsenfadal You can find Kelly Here: https://kellymcdanieltherapy.com/ Medical Disclaimer: The information provided in this podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. Always consult with a qualified healthcare professional regarding any medical concerns or treatment options. The views expressed by guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of The Tamsen Show. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

If you've ever questioned your reality, blamed your hormones, or been told you’re “too sensitive,” this conversation will change how you see everything. Tamsen sits down with world-renowned psychologist and narcissism expert Dr. Ramani Durvasula, author of the New York Times bestseller It’s Not You: Identifying and Healing from Narcissistic People, to decode the emotional warfare so many women face in toxic relationships, especially in midlife. They talk about: How narcissists twist your words and make you question your memory-The subtle ways they use your hormones and emotions against you-Why smart, self-aware women stay in toxic relationships longer than they should-The early red flags that feel easy to dismiss but matter most-What love bombing actually looks like (and why it works so well)-Why midlife often becomes the breaking point for women in these dynamics-How to rebuild your confidence and sense of reality after emotional abuse This episode is a wake-up call and a roadmap to help you stop second-guessing yourself and start trusting what you know. Watch the Full Episode Here: https://www.youtube.com/@TamsenFadalTV Get my new book, How To Menopause, Take Charge of Your Health, Reclaim Your Life and Feel Even Better Than Before 💖 http://www.howtomenopause.com  Follow The Tamsen Show:  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thetamsenshow/ Follow Tamsen Fadal: FREE resourcesWebsite: https://www.tamsenfadal.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tamsenfadal Tik Tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@tamsenfadal You can find Dr Ramani here:  https://doctor-ramani.com/ Medical Disclaimer: The information provided in this podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. Always consult with a qualified healthcare professional regarding any medical concerns or treatment options. The views expressed by guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of The Tamsen Show. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

If you think it’s too late for love, think again. In this powerful conversation, Tamsen sits down with leading Relationship Expert Jillian Turecki to find out what she’s learned after coaching thousands of couples, hosting over 150 episodes of her hit podcast Jillian on Love, and writing her game-changing New York Times bestselling book It Begins With You: The 9 Hard Truths About Love That Will Change Your Life. We get into: Why real love starts with you (not someone else) The #1 dating mistake people are still making in 2025 How to tell if it’s real love or just temporary lust Why chasing someone never leads to true connection How to rebuild your confidence after heartbreak, divorce, or midlife changes Why feeling "not good enough" keeps you stuck (and how to break that cycle) How to date smarter without feeling burned out or discouraged-Why settling feels safer, but costs you everything How to fill your own cup first so you attract healthy love This episode is your roadmap to stop settling, break old patterns, and finally find the connection you deserve. Real love is possible, but it begins with you. Watch the Full Episode Here: https://www.youtube.com/@TamsenFadalTV Get my new book, How To Menopause, Take Charge of Your Health, Reclaim Your Life and Feel Even Better Than Before 💖 http://www.howtomenopause.com  Follow The Tamsen Show:  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thetamsenshow/ Follow Tamsen Fadal: https://www.tamsenfadal.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tamsenfadal Tik Tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@tamsenfadal You can find Jillian here: Website: https://www.jillianturecki.com/ Medical Disclaimer: The information provided in this podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. Always consult with a qualified healthcare professional regarding any medical concerns or treatment options. The views expressed by guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of The Tamsen Show. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Routine might feel safe, but for your brain, it can become a prison. This week, Dr. Yalda Safai joins Tamsen to talk about the science of novelty and why trying something new is the most powerful way to spark dopamine, reboot your mindset, and shift out of midlife stagnation.  Tamsen and Dr Safai share dating experience and the benefits of meeting a partner later in life. Plus why women are staying single longer and why we should avoid subpar relationships at all costs!  We dive deep into what high-functioning depression really looks like in successful women. From the quiet symptoms of anhedonia and mood disorders to undiagnosed thyroid issues and the hormonal shifts of perimenopause. Dr. Safai breaks down the medical, emotional, and social blind spots that keep so many of us suffering in silence. What you’ll learn;  Why novel experiences are a natural antidepressant The mental health cost of playing it safe and sticking to routine Chronic unhappiness and the silent pain of high-functioning women Anhedonia: the medical term for when nothing feels good anymore How thyroid issues and perimenopause are often misdiagnosed as mood swings Why your second act isn’t about accumulation, it’s about experience The pressure to partner up and how it leads to compromising your worth Why you should never date to fill a void What ghosting really says about emotional maturity How to build self-worth before dating again Watch the Full Episode Here: https://www.youtube.com/@TamsenFadalTV Get my new book, How To Menopause, Take Charge of Your Health, Reclaim Your Life and Feel Even Better Than Before 💖 http://www.howtomenopause.com  Follow The Tamsen Show:  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thetamsenshow/ Follow Tamsen Fadal: Website: https://www.tamsenfadal.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tamsenfadal Tik Tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@tamsenfadal You can find Dr Safai here:  Website: yaldasafaimd.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yaldasafaimd Medical Disclaimer: The information provided in this podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. Always consult with a qualified healthcare professional regarding any medical concerns or treatment options. The views expressed by guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of The Tamsen Show. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This is the episode to send to every woman you love. Tamsen sits down with Dr. Elizabeth Comen, a leading breast oncologist, Harvard Medical School graduate, and author of the bestseller ‘All in Her Head’, for a myth-busting conversation about breast cancer, early detection, and why advocating for yourself could save your life. Dr. Comen shares how far we've come in treatment and breast reconstruction, the emotional toll of diagnosis, and why a breast cancer diagnosis is not a death sentence today. Tamsen opens up about losing her own mother to breast cancer, and how that grief has shaped her own choices. This episode is packed with information that could change — or save — a life, breaking down exactly when to start getting mammograms, what dense breasts mean (and what to do about them), and the truth about alcohol, hormones, and the rising rates of cancer in younger women. You’ll learn:  The latest guidelines for screenings  The difference between local and systemic disease    What metastatic breast cancer really means The real link between alcohol and breast cancer How and when to check your own breasts Why you should not be apologetic to Doctors Breast cancer myths debunked from deodorant to bras Breast Cancer Risk Assessment Tool: https://bcrisktool.cancer.gov/          Watch the Full Episode Here: https://www.youtube.com/@TamsenFadalTV Get my new book, How To Menopause, Take Charge of Your Health, Reclaim Your Life and Feel Even Better Than Before 💖 http://www.howtomenopause.com  Follow The Tamsen Show:  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thetamsenshow/ Follow Tamsen Fadal: Website: https://www.tamsenfadal.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tamsenfadal Tik Tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@tamsenfadal Today's episode is sponsored by Field of Greens! Get 20% off your first order! Just use code TAMSEN at fieldofgreens.com. You can find Dr. Elizabeth Comen here:  Website: www.drelizabethcomen.com Book: https://www.drelizabethcomen.com/book Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drelizabethcomen Medical Disclaimer: The information provided in this podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. Always consult with a qualified healthcare professional regarding any medical concerns or treatment options. The views expressed by guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of The Tamsen Show. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This week, Tamsen is joined by Reshma Saujani, founder of Girls Who Code, CEO of Moms First, podcast host of My So-Called Midlife. This powerful conversation that flips the script on imposter syndrome, midlife reinvention, and the unrealistic pressures women face at every stage of life. Reshma shares her personal journey—from running for office and founding global movements to discovering her purpose in the midst of racism and rejection. She reminds us that midlife is a mindset, not a number, and that your best work is still ahead of you. From dealing with perimenopause in the workplace, to the toxic myth of “work-life balance,” this episode is a fierce call to action for women to stop hiding their dreams and start owning their voice, no matter what your age.  If you’ve ever felt like you’re too late, too much, or not enough, this conversation is for you. What you’ll learn: Why “imposter syndrome” is a lie and where it actually comes from How to figure out what’s next when you feel stuck or lost in midlife The power of choosing bravery over perfection Why we must stop minimizing women’s pain—especially in perimenopause How failure can become your superpower Why your best work is still ahead of you Watch the Full Episode Here: https://www.youtube.com/@TamsenFadalTV Get my new book, How To Menopause, Take Charge of Your Health, Reclaim Your Life and Feel Even Better Than Before 💖 http://www.howtomenopause.com  Follow The Tamsen Show:  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thetamsenshow/ Follow Tamsen Fadal: Website: https://www.tamsenfadal.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tamsenfadal Tik Tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@tamsenfadal You can find Reshma here:  Instagram: @reshmasaujani Website: https://www.reshmasaujani.com Podcast: https://lemonada.lnk.to/mysocalledmidlifehs Medical Disclaimer: The information provided in this podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. Always consult with a qualified healthcare professional regarding any medical concerns or treatment options. The views expressed by guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of The Tamsen Show. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Why are women still expected to “stay in their lane”? Tamsen sits down with Stacy London, CEO, author, and former co-host of What Not to Wear. Now with her own QVC fashion line and decades of experience helping women feel seen, Stacy unpacks the emotional toll of high-functioning depression and why conversations about menopause are still considered risky in the professional world. Stacy gets vulnerable, sharing why community and friendship are more essential than having a partner, and how to let go of outdated identities. Together, they dive into the messy, transformative beauty of midlife, exploring the unspoken truths about living in fear, reinvention, and how clinging to old clothes can keep you stuck. Stacy opens up about closing her business, redefining success at 55, and why evolution means saying yes, even when it’s uncomfortable.  Stacy shares her expert advice on getting comfortable with your naked body in the mirror is the key to personal freedom and good style.  If you’ve ever wondered if your best years are behind you, this episode is here to tell you: absolutely not! What You'll Learn: How to break free from the social pressure to stay in your lane Why community and friendship are more important than romantic relationships  Curating a new wardrobe that reflects your body now Why holding onto old clothes is psychological torture Success isn’t defined by titles, possessions, or external validation Why women need to talk more openly about money. How fear keeps you stuck and why getting older is the perfect time to be braver Why it’s never too late to reinvent yourself  How to let go of the "expiration date" mindset  Watch the Full Episode and Subscribe to Youtube here: https://www.youtube.com/@TamsenFadalTV Follow Stacy on Social: https://www.instagram.com/stacylondonreal Get my new book, How To Menopause, Take Charge of Your Health, Reclaim Your Life and Feel Even Better Than Before 💖  http://www.howtomenopause.com Follow The Tamsen Show:  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thetamsenshow/ Follow Tamsen Fadal: Website: https://www.tamsenfadal.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tamsenfadal Tik Tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@tamsenfadal Medical Disclaimer: The information provided in this podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. Always consult with a qualified healthcare professional regarding any medical concerns or treatment options. The views expressed by guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of The Tamsen Show. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Is Ozempic the answer to lasting weight loss, or is there more to the story?  In this episode of The Tamsen Show, Tamsen speaks with Dr. Alexandra Sowa, a board-certified physician specializing in metabolic health, to unpack the truth about GLP-1 medications like Ozempic. We explore how these drugs work, the emotional realities of weight loss, and why most people who start Ozempic may stay on it for life. Dr. Sowa also addresses the risks of misuse, the rise of compounding pharmacies, and why sustainable habits like strength training and food tracking are essential alongside medication. If you're curious about Ozempic, its effects on menopause, or the future of GLP-1 drugs, this episode delivers the facts and insights you need. What You'll Learn: How do GLP-1 medications like Ozempic work?  Why weight loss isn't just about strong willpower The importance of healthy habits and food tracking if you take Ozempic The rise of compounding pharmacies and the larger risks involved How Ozempic interacts with menopause and hormone therapy Why strength training and whole foods are crucial for long-term health The emotional toll of body dysmorphia, navigating aging body image Can you realistically stop taking GLP-1 drugs once you start?  Watch the Full Episode Here: https://www.youtube.com/@TamsenFadalTV Get my new book, How To Menopause, Take Charge of Your Health, Reclaim Your Life and Feel Even Better Than Before 💖 http://www.howtomenopause.com  Today's episode is sponsored by Field of Greens! Get 20% off your first order! Just use code TAMSEN at fieldofgreens.com. Follow The Tamsen Show:  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thetamsenshow/ Follow Tamsen Fadal: Website: https://www.tamsenfadal.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tamsenfadal Tik Tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@tamsenfadal For more insights, check out Dr. Sowa’s book ‘The Ozempic Revolution’ https://getsowell.com Find Dr. Sowa here: https://alexandrasowamd.com Medical Disclaimer: The information provided in this podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. Always consult with a qualified healthcare professional regarding any medical concerns or treatment options. The views expressed by guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of The Tamsen Show. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices