Podcast
UPLEVEL: Real Health, Real Talk with Dr. Jenna Blasi
Hosted by Dr. Jenna Blasi · EN
Health on all levels--mind, body, spirit. Transformational wellness. We will discuss all things health: Nutrition, Fitness, Lifestyle, Mindset and personal development, stress management. Real info about menopause.
26episodes
Episodes
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Ep 66 GLP-1s, Hormones, and the Metabolic Shift
Mar 1700:39:39Tap to summarizeGLP-1 medications are changing the weight-loss conversation, but what happens when you view them as a metabolic tool instead of a shortcut? In this episode of UPLEVEL, Dr. Jenna delves into how GLP-1s can be integrated into a comprehensive strategy for achieving metabolic health, informed choices, and sustainable change. She breaks down what GLP-1s actually do in the body, why their effects go far beyond appetite, and how they can quiet food noise by reducing metabolic stress. She explains who these medications are best suited for, how dosing and pacing can affect side effects, and why muscle preservation, nutrition, and resistance training are important for achieving long-term results. Dr. Jenna also connects the dots between hormones and menopause, unpacking how the midlife metabolic shifts insulin sensitivity, and why some people are exploring microdosing alongside lifestyle changes. Tune in to learn how to use GLP-1 medications effectively to maximise energy, longevity, clarity, and regulation.Key Points From This Episode:Hear the basics of GLP-1 medications and what they actually do.Explore how they affect metabolism beyond influencing appetite.Uncover the benefits of metabolic stability for appetite signals. Learn what metabolic threat load is and how it drives food urgency.Who GLP-1 medications are for and the possible side effects.Unpack the concept of microdosing and why it has become popular.The connection between gut health, foundational habits, and hormones.What someone should consider when thinking of using GLP-1 medications. Understand how menopause shifts metabolism and impacts appetite.How GLP-1s and hormone therapy can act as complementary tools.Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:Episode 65: Hunger & Cravings Aren’t the Problem – They’re SignalsUPLEVEL Holistic HealthUPLEVEL Holistic Health on InstagramBook Your FREE Discovery Call with Dr. Jenna Blasi
Transcribe →Ep 65 Hunger & Cravings Aren’t the Problem – They’re Signals
Mar 1000:15:42Tap to summarizeAppetite is not the enemy; it is a communication system! Welcome to another segment of UPLEVEL’s March Metabolism Month! Today, Dr. Jenna is talking about one of the strongest signals your metabolism sends: your appetite. Tuning in, you’ll hear all about how appetite and metabolism work together, a few examples of what may cause your hunger to increase, how your system adapts to changes in appetite in midlife, and so much more! We delve into the two main types of hunger signals, fuel hunger and regulation hunger, what they look like, and what they need before discussing why suppressing appetite is dangerous. Dr. Jenna goes on to explain how safety in the body and nervous system actually stabilizes appetite and touches on the importance of understanding your body. We even talk about how these issues can be resolved and why hormone therapy can never replace the basics of health (diet, movement, sleep, etc.) Finally, Dr. Jenna leaves listeners with a question: if appetite is protective, what happens when we quieten it medically? Thanks for listening, and be sure to stay tuned for next week’s episode on GLP-1s!Key Points From This Episode:Today’s topic: appetite as a sign. Why your appetite isn’t failing, it’s responding. How metabolism and appetite work together. What causes hunger to increase: physiology. How your appetite and hunger adapt in midlife. Two types of hunger signals: fuel and regulation. What each type of hunger looks like and what they need. Why suppressing appetite always backfires. A breakdown of what appetite regulation looks like. How understanding your body builds trust and consistency. Going back to the basics to solve appetite issues. The danger of hormone therapy when the system is stressed. Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:Episode 64: Why Your Metabolism Isn’t Broken in MidlifeUPLEVEL Holistic HealthUPLEVEL Holistic Health on InstagramBook Your FREE Discovery Call with Dr. Jenna Blasi
Transcribe →Ep 64 Why Your Metabolism Isn’t Broken in Midlife
Mar 300:30:51Tap to summarizeSo many women in midlife feel like their metabolism is broken, but what if the body is actually responding exactly the way it was meant to? Today on UPLEVEL, Dr. Jenna is breaking down why you may feel like your body is betraying you in midlife and what is really happening! Tuning in, you’ll hear why aging doesn’t have to equal decline, what your metabolism actually is, how your body responds to estrogen decline, muscle as your metabolic engine, and so much more! We delve into the danger of long-term restrictive diets and chronic stress before discussing why sleep is a metabolic regulator. Dr. Jenna also touches on how a changing midlife body defends itself against weight loss and how to achieve weight loss during this time. She talks about how you can support your body in midlife, and you’ll be reminded that these symptoms are not caused by just one thing. Finally, Dr. Jenna drives home the importance of striving to understand your body so that you can work with it, not fight against it. Thanks for listening! Key Points From This Episode:Today’s topic: metabolism in midlife. Why many women feel like their metabolism is broken in midlife. What your metabolism actually is. A breakdown of what happens when your estrogen gets too low. The key role muscle plays in metabolic health. How the body responds to long-term restriction. The danger of chronic stress to the metabolism. Dr. Jenna explains sleep as a metabolic regulator. How energy scarcity actually increases hunger. Why the body really ‘crashes’ in midlife and how to support it. When hormone therapy can be helpful to solve these issues. The importance of nuanced, specialized healthcare. Why you need to understand and work with your body. Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:Menopause and Hormone Therapy: What Every Woman Needs to KnowUPLEVEL Holistic HealthUPLEVEL Holistic Health on InstagramBook Your FREE Discovery Call with Dr. Jenna Blasi
Transcribe →Ep 63 Protecting the Female Heart in Real Life
Feb 2400:21:05Tap to summarizeCapacity is not talked about often enough when it comes to heart health, and today on UPLEVEL, Dr. Jenna is diving deep into what your body can actually sustain and how to protect the female heart in real life. Tuning in, you’ll hear all about why your heart doesn’t need you to be calm all the time, it just needs you to recover well, why emotional labor is physical labor, and why the heart isn’t only a pump, it is also a metabolic organ that demands large amounts of energy. Dr. Jenna goes on to explain why chronic self-control is a stressor and shares some examples of that before discussing why patterns over time are what define your heart health. Dr. Jenna challenges us to ask ourselves what support we can give our bodies to lower cardiovascular load. Finally, Dr. Jenna reminds us that heart health isn’t about perfection and encourages us to examine our self-talk. Thanks for listening!Key Points From This Episode:Today’s topic: how to actually protect your heart. Why your heart cares more about variability than perfection. The importance of being able to recover from stress. Why emotional labor has the same effect as physical labor. Seeing the heart as a metabolic organ, not just a pump. Why chronic self-control is actually a stressor. Dr. Jenna briefly shares her opinion on GLP-1s. What truly defines your heart health. A challenge: lower your cardiovascular load. The power of self-talk in heart health. Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:‘The Power of Self-Talk and Letting Go of Perfectionism’UPLEVEL Holistic HealthUPLEVEL Holistic Health on InstagramBook Your FREE Discovery Call with Dr. Jenna Blasi
Transcribe →Ep 62 Your Nervous System Is Talking to Your Heart
Feb 1700:19:57Tap to summarizeEven when your labs look normal, and you have healthy habits, chronic stress may still be shaping your heart health. As part of the ongoing Heart Health Month series on UPLEVEL, Dr. Jenna explains what stress is actually doing inside the body and why it matters more than most women realize. She breaks down the physiological effects of stress, from sustained fight-or-flight activation to inflammation and metabolic strain, and explains why midlife women are especially vulnerable as hormones shift. Dr. Jenna challenges the idea that willpower fixes everything and shows how recovery, sleep, boundaries, and small reductions in load can meaningfully reduce your long-term risk. She also addresses common misconceptions about hormone therapy in perimenopause and why you don’t have to wait to get support. Tune in for an honest, science-backed conversation on protecting your heart by working with your biology, not against it!Key Points From This Episode:Chronic stress as a major (but overlooked) heart risk in women.Understanding resistance from your body as protection, not laziness or lack of willpower.Acute vs. chronic stress, and how the body registers external demands.Sustained fight or flight and its impact on inflammation and metabolic health.How midlife women face higher stress sensitivity due to physiological changes.Why doing everything “right” can still fail under high stress load.Why recovery, sleep, and consistency matter more than intensity.Decreasing chronic pressure, not just adding more healthy habits.The good news: your nervous system is trainable and small shifts add up.Why hormone therapy does not have to wait until menopause.Simplifying your life to reduce load and protect longevity.Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:UPLEVEL Holistic HealthUPLEVEL Holistic Health on InstagramBook Your FREE Discovery Call with Dr. Jenna Blasi
Transcribe →EP 61 Heart Health Isn’t Just Cholesterol (But Cholesterol Still Matters)
Feb 1000:24:06Tap to summarizeIn this episode of UPLEVEL, Dr. Jenna continues the Heart Health Month conversation by unpacking why heart health isn’t just about cholesterol — even though cholesterol remains an important marker of cardiovascular risk. She helps listeners navigate the noise surrounding heart health, especially for women after menopause, when biological and hormonal shifts reduce the body’s natural buffering capacity. Dr. Jenna explores why nutrition quality and consistency matter, how lifestyle choices influence cholesterol, and the role medication and hormone therapy can play when guided by informed medical decision-making. Grounded in prevention rather than perfection, this episode emphasizes shared decision-making, informed consent, and the importance of staying engaged with your body for the long game of heart health.Key Points From This Episode:What listeners can expect from today’s episode of UPLEVEL.Navigating through the noise around heart health. Biological factors that are altered after menopause. Why cholesterol matters in relation to cardiovascular risk.Normalizing that hormonal shifts reduce buffering.Why nutrition quality and consistency matter.Other health principles that have a positive effect on your cholesterol. Dr. Jenna shares her thoughts on medication and its role in cholesterol. Why prevention is not about perfection: the importance of shared decision-making and informed consent. The long game: the importance of being engaged with your body and making informed choices over time. Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:EP 51 Finding Joy Again. Why Feeling Good Is Part of HealingUPLEVEL Holistic HealthUPLEVEL Holistic Health on InstagramBook Your FREE Discovery Call with Dr. Jenna Blasi
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