268. A Midlife Health Masterclass with Dr. Heather Hirsch, Dr. Alexandra Sowa & Rachel Goldman, Ph.D.

Jun 5, 20261h 8m

Summary

In this episode of Health By Heather Hirsch, host Dr. Heather Hirsch welcomes guests Dr. Alexandra Sowa and Dr. Rachel Goldman for a comprehensive deep dive into midlife health, metabolic function, and the evolution of obesity medicine. The discussion centers on moving away from the outdated eat-less, move-more mentality and instead focusing on the complex neurohormonal drivers of obesity. The experts explore the history of obesity medicine, noting how far the field has come from the early days of limited treatment options to the current era of GLP-1 medications. A key takeaway is that weight management is not a reflection of willpower but a medical issue involving hormonal dysregulation. The guests emphasize the importance of self-advocacy, suggesting that patients work with professionals to obtain proper lab work—such as fasting insulin—to understand their metabolic health. Furthermore, the episode addresses the psychological barriers women face in midlife, including the tendency to blame themselves for body changes. Dr. Goldman offers practical advice on using cognitive behavioral strategies to replace negative, all-or-nothing thought patterns with a more flexible, growth-oriented mindset. The episode concludes with a vital warning regarding the lack of regulation surrounding popular, non-FDA-approved peptides, cautioning listeners against seeking quick fixes through unverified sources.

Updated Jun 25, 2026

Health & Wellness Society & Culture Science Weight Management Mental Health Women's Health Body Image Nutrition & Metabolism

Topics

Addressing Diet Culture and Future Outlook

About This Episode

In this special episode, I’m joined by Dr. Alexandra Sowa and Rachel Goldman, Ph.D. for a powerful midlife health masterclass on the topics every woman deserves to understand. From perimenopause and menopause to hormones, symptoms, treatment options, metabolism, mindset, and the future of women’s healthcare, this conversation brings together leading voices in the field to help educate, empower, and support women through midlife and beyond.

Whether you are navigating symptoms yourself, supporting someone you love, or simply want to better understand what happens during this stage of life, this episode is packed with expert insight, practical guidance, and the kind of information too many women are still missing.

Rachel Goldman's Book:
https://whenlifehappensbook.com/

Dr. Alexandra Sowa's Book:

https://getsowell.com/products/the-ozempic-revolution

🩷 Proactive women: book your Collaborative discovery call today https://v7cv2vnklw4.typeform.com/to/TtK4Q4e4?typeform-source=jointhecollaborative49872.e.wpstage.net🩷Ways to Work with Me:• Free Hormone Health Guide https://view.flodesk.com/pages/5f787bdd57796e835ea84e10• Free Reclaiming Menopause Masterclass https://thecollaborative.kit.com/11077747ff• Looking for expert menopause care? Learn more about The Collaborative: https://thecollaborative.kit.com/11e9825fb5• Clinicians: Elevate your medical career. Join the course transforming how I prescribe HRT: https://heatherhirschmd.myflodesk.com/prescribehrt• Find Your Menopause Type https://view.flodesk.com/pages/647b461a3e266b3df9f1e253🩷Books by Dr. Heather Hirsch: Unlock Your Menopause Type → https://amzn.to/3N0YcEC The Perimenopause Survival Guide → https://www.hachettebookgroup.com/titles/heather-hirsch/the-perimenopause-survival-guide/9781538774106/🩷Video Gear: Camera: https://amzn.to/2SnFT4e Mic: https://amzn.to/3viq6kD Studio Light: https://amzn.to/3iBGYjB🩷Stay Connected:Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/heatherhirschmd/TikTok → https://www.tiktok.com/@heatherhirschmd?lang=enFacebook → https://www.facebook.com/heatherhirschmd/Twitter/X → https://x.com/heatherhirschMDLinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/heather-hirsch-md-ms-mscp-161556168Pinterest → https://www.pinterest.com/heatherhirschmd/Podcast → https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/health-by-heather-hirsch/id1423965506Website → https://heatherhirschmd.com/🩷The Collaborative: Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/thecollaborative.telemed/ Website → https://jointhecollaborative.com/🩷The Academy: Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/heather.hirsch.academy/ Website → https://heather-hirsch-academy.kit.com/a0354f0b4a🩷Disclaimer:This video is not sponsored. Some product links are affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. This video was not created for children under the age of 13.

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What is a Normal Hormone Therapy Journey?

Jun 12, 202626 min

Summary

In this episode of Health By Heather Hirsch, host Dr. Heather Hirsch explores the realities of the perimenopause and menopause hormone therapy journey. Drawing on her extensive experience as a board-certified internist, Dr. Hirsch emphasizes that there is no singular, perfect path for everyone. She demystifies the process by categorizing patients into three distinct groups: the titrators, the high-flyers, and the highly sensitive. The discussion highlights that for the vast majority of women, finding the right hormone regimen is an ongoing process of tweaking and titrating. Dr. Hirsch explains that factors such as changing life stages, medication availability, and external stressors often require ongoing adjustments to a treatment plan. She underscores the importance of patience, noting that even experts may not get the perfect dosage or formulation on the first attempt. Through her natural and informative style, Dr. Hirsch validates the experiences of those struggling to find relief, providing insight into why an iterative approach is often necessary. Ultimately, the episode serves as a comforting reminder that seeking help is a journey, not a one-time fix, and that feeling supported throughout that process is essential.

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