This week’s guest would like to apologize. Like many of us before perimenopause hit, Shawna Norton admits she used to quietly doubt—even judge—women who said their bodies changed overnight despite doing nothing differently. Then it happened to her. Now she gets it. And she’s genuinely sorry. In this wide-ranging, sometimes raucous, and brutally honest conversation, we dig into her own experience with rapid weight gain, joint pain, brain fog, and the unsettling feeling of living in a body that suddenly feels unfamiliar. We talk cortisol, stress resilience, inflammation, blood sugar management, the complexities of HRT, sleep strategies, and the emotional whiplash of navigating so many unknowns at once. Most of all, we talk about validation—because sometimes the most powerful thing you can hear in this chaotic time of life is: you’re not alone.

Shawna Norton, M.S., is a kinesiology specialist, strength coach, and nutrition coach dedicated to helping women build resilient, high-performing bodies. She holds a Master of Science in Kinesiology and is a CrossFit Level 1 Trainer as well as a Level 1 Certified Nutrition Coach through Precision Nutrition. Shawna is the founder of Competitive Female Training, a women-only coaching program where she guides athletes in fueling their training, optimizing performance, and focusing on what their bodies can do. She also coaches with Deep End Fitness, integrating stress-resilience and breath-driven performance strategies into athletic development. Learn more about her work at competitivefemaletraining.com

Resources

www.precisionnutrition.com/nutrition-calculator

Join Feisty at the Grand Traverse in Duluth, MN on October 3rd! Use code FEISTY20 for $20 off when you register at https://feisty.co/events/the-grand-traverse/

Learn More about our 2026 Feisty Events, including Bike Camps and Cycling Trips: https://feisty.co/events/

Feisty Menopause: @feistymenopause

Hit Play Not Pause Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/807943973376099

Support our Partners:

Cozy Earth: Use Code HITPLAY at https://cozyearth.com/ for up to 20% off

Eternal - Get 15% off their services with code FEISTY15 at https://eternal.co

Midi Health: You Deserve to Feel Great. Book your virtual visit today at https://www.joinmidi.com/

Previnex: Get 15% off your first order with code HITPLAY at https://www.previnex.com/

Wahoo: Use the code FEISTY2026 to get a free Headwind Smart Fan (value $300) with the purchase of a Wahoo KICKR RUN at https://shorturl.at/WVhdr