If you've been blaming stress, aging, or "just not trying hard enough" for the weight gain, the bad sleep, and the feeling that your body is working against you — this episode is about to reframe everything.

I sat down with Stephanie Traver, a Women's Health Nurse Practitioner and Menopause Society Certified Practitioner, and founder of Vital Menopause in Colorado. Stephanie has built her entire practice around one mission: making sure women have access to real, evidence-based care in perimenopause and menopause. And she is a wealth of knowledge.

In this episode, we get into the biology of what's actually happening in your body during perimenopause — and why the old playbook (cut calories, work out more, push through it) just doesn't work anymore. We also talk about hormone therapy, who's a good candidate, and the myths that are still circulating even though the research has moved on. Plus, Stephanie shares the nutrition and lifestyle pillars she builds her entire practice around.

What you'll learn:

📌 Why perimenopause can start as early as 35 — and the very first sign most women miss
📌 The lesser-known symptoms that are almost always hormonal
📌 Exactly what's happening biologically with belly fat — the insulin resistance and estrogen connection explained clearly
📌 Who is (and isn't) a good candidate for hormone therapy, and how to have that conversation with your doctor
📌 The three nutrition foundations Stephanie tells every single patient
📌 How mindset is part of the clinical picture

Resources Mentioned in This Episode:

Vital Menopause (Stephanie's Practice)

Your Next Steps:

Work with Me
Change your mindset in perimenopause
Connect on Social

83: Perimenopause Starts at 35: What You Need To Know