
Hosted by JJ Virgin · EN

What if the goal wasn't just to lose weight, but to achieve a balanced "weight health ecosystem"? In this episode, I speak with Ashley Koff about how ultra-processed foods, under-fueling, and disrupted hormones have shaped today’s metabolic crisis—and why weight loss alone is the wrong goal. Ashley shares her deeply personal journey and her science-backed framework for understanding weight health, including a clear, honest conversation about GLP-1 medications and how to use them responsibly. Ashley Koff, RD, is the USA Today bestselling author of Your Best Shot (HarperOne) and founder of The Better Nutrition Program (BNP). With over twenty-five years of experience, Ashley’s helped redefine how we approach sustainable, lasting weight health. In her new book, Your Best Shot, Ashley introduces weight-health hormones (GLP-1, GIP, CCK, PYY) and offers the first-ever system for assessing and optimizing these hormones, whether you’re using GLP-1 medication or not. It’s a game-changer for anyone who’s felt stuck, blamed themselves, or been failed by traditional dieting. What you’ll learn: (02:10) Why ultra-processed foods undermine satiety and metabolic health. (08:05) How dieting and under-fueling can damage digestion, hormones, and muscle. (13:40) What “weight health” means and why weight alone misses the real problem. (15:30) How GLP-1 and other incretin hormones regulate appetite, fat storage, bone, and metabolism. (17:45) Why enriched and ultra-processed foods leave the body under-resourced. (21:00) How GLP-1 medications work differently from the body’s natural hormone signals. (24:10) Why fatigue, digestive issues, and muscle loss can happen on GLP-1s when dosing and nutrition aren’t optimized. (30:20) Whether it’s possible to come off GLP-1 medications and what sustainable success actually looks like. Love the podcast? Here’s what to do: Subscribe to the podcast. Leave a review. Text a screenshot to me at 813-565-2627 and wait for a personal reply because your voice is so important to me. Want to listen to the show completely ad-free? Go to http://subscribetojj.com Click “TRY FREE” and start your ad-free journey today! When you’re ready, enjoy the VIP experience for just $4.99 per month or $49.99 per year (save 17%!) Full show notes (including all links mentioned): https://jjvirgin.com/yourbestshot → BIOptimizers | Right now, you can save 15% at https://bioptimizers.com/jjvirgin and use the code JJVIRGIN. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Why do healthy foods suddenly cause bloating and pain? In this episode, I share how one of the most stressful seasons of my life completely changed my gut and forced me to rethink foods I’d eaten for years without issue. I also walk you through how stress disrupted my microbiome, why I used the FODMAP diet as a short-term reset, and how I transitioned back toward a more diverse diet. What you’ll learn: (02:43) Why bloating and food reactions can appear even with a “perfect” diet. (05:27) What FODMAPs actually are and how they affect digestion. (06:57) Why FODMAP foods are not bad but problematic for a compromised gut. (07:44) Which foods are lower FODMAP and easier to tolerate during healing. (09:54) How long to stay on a low FODMAP approach and why it’s temporary. (11:47) How to reintroduce foods safely while rebuilding gut health. (13:50) Why stress management is essential for long-term gut healing. Love the podcast? Here’s what to do: Subscribe to the podcast. Leave a review. Text a screenshot to me at 813-565-2627 and wait for a personal reply because your voice is so important to me. Want to listen to the show completely ad-free? Go to http://subscribetojj.com Click “TRY FREE” and start your ad-free journey today! When you’re ready, enjoy the VIP experience for just $4.99 per month or $49.99 per year (save 17%!) Full show notes (including all links mentioned): https://jjvirgin.com/fodmaps Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Are the invisible emotional patterns from your past the real reason you're stuck in your health or relationships? In this episode, Bizzie Gold and I explore why so many of us stay stuck in patterns that no longer serve us, and why that doesn’t mean there’s anything wrong with you. We unpack how early conditioning shapes perception, behavior, and self-deception, and how those patterns can be decoded and rewritten at any age. Bizzie brings a refreshingly direct, data-driven perspective that challenges traditional mental-health narratives and opens the door to real, lasting change. Bizzie Gold is a behavior futurist and serial entrepreneur who’s not afraid to challenge what we’ve been told about mental health. She created the Break Method to decode brain patterns and help people stop circling their pain and finally change for good. What you’ll learn: (02:05) Why repeating the same behaviors doesn’t mean you’re broken, but programmed. (05:30) How childhood environments create predictable patterns in perception and behavior. (09:05) Why objective truth is nearly impossible, and how brain patterns distort reality. (14:20) How the “right amount” of early adversity can build resilience and self-trust. (20:40) What brain pattern mapping reveals about self-deception and decision-making. (26:30) How stress and exhaustion pull you back into old behavioral defaults. (32:35) Why opposites attract, and how brain patterns shape relationships. (45:10) Practical ways to interrupt unhealthy patterns and create lasting change. Love the podcast? Here’s what to do: Subscribe to the podcast. Leave a review. Text a screenshot to me at 813-565-2627 and wait for a personal reply because your voice is so important to me. Want to listen to the show completely ad-free? Go to http://subscribetojj.com Click “TRY FREE” and start your ad-free journey today! When you’re ready, enjoy the VIP experience for just $4.99 per month or $49.99 per year (save 17%!) Full show notes (including all links mentioned): https://jjvirgin.com/bizzie Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Why do detox cleanses often make you feel worse instead of better? Also, what simple daily habits can support detox without extreme cleanses? In this episode, my guest and I break down why detox fads are failing women over 40 and what detox actually means at a physiological level. I’m joined by Sinclair Kennally to explain how the liver, gut, bile flow, and hormones all work together. We reframe detox as a lifelong support system—not a quick fix—so your body can truly heal, thrive, and age powerfully. Sinclair Kennally, CNHP, CNC is an award-winning detox expert and the founder and CEO of Detox Nation, where she helps people uncover the root causes of chronic illness. After nearly losing her life to mold and toxic overload, she turned her hard-won recovery into a mission to teach safe, sustainable detox that actually works. What you’ll learn: (01:52) Why detox is not about flushing toxins but supporting your body’s natural detox pathways. (04:27) How quick cleanses can trigger “retoxification” and make symptoms worse. (06:20) Why detox must be a long-term lifestyle approach, especially after 40. (10:26) How bowel regularity and gut motility are the foundation of safe detox. (15:07) Why bile flow is critical for digestion, toxin removal, and metabolic health. (19:04) How toxin overload shows up as anxiety, histamine reactions, and skin issues. (23:20) Why toxic burden directly impacts thyroid function and metabolism. (35:41) Simple daily habits—like clean protein, healthy fats, and bile support—that make detox safer and more effective. Love the podcast? Here’s what to do: Subscribe to the podcast. Leave a review. Text a screenshot to me at 813-565-2627 and wait for a personal reply because your voice is so important to me. Want to listen to the show completely ad-free? Go to http://subscribetojj.com Click “TRY FREE” and start your ad-free journey today! When you’re ready, enjoy the VIP experience for just $4.99 per month or $49.99 per year (save 17%!) Full show notes (including all links mentioned): http://jjvirgin.com/sinclair Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

"I am on a mission to show in the most positive manner just how far off a lot of these people are and to show people there's hope and to teach them how to do it without completely eradicating their health." - Dylan GemelliI sat down with Dylan Gemelli, a prominent figure in the fitness and biohacking industry who's transitioned from the bodybuilding world to becoming a cellular health expert. Dylan shared his incredible journey of rebuilding his life from scratch, discovering peptides and SARMs long before they became mainstream, and his personal battle with heart disease that led him to prove medical professionals wrong about what's possible. We dive deep into the world of peptides, cardiovascular health testing beyond standard panels, and why the hierarchy of health should include strategic supplementation for optimal aging. Dylan's passion for challenging medical dogma is infectious, especially his evidence that LP(a) levels can be lowered despite conventional wisdom saying otherwise.What you'll learn: What peptides and SARMs are and how they differ from harmful substances like steroids Why standard cholesterol panels miss the most important cardiovascular risk markers How Dylan lowered his "unchangeable" LP(a) levels by over 230 points when doctors said it was impossible The hierarchy of health supplements everyone should consider, starting with creatine for women of all ages Why microdosing GLP-1s may be the ultimate longevity hack for improved metabolic health How specialized peptides can accelerate healing, improve sleep, and support cellular repair The truth about NAD+ supplementation and what delivery methods actually work Why building and maintaining muscle mass is critical as we age, especially for women Love the Podcast? Here’s what to do:Make My Day & Share Your Thoughts! Subscribe to the podcast & leave me a review Text a screenshot to 813-565-2627 Expect a personal reply because your voice is so important to me. Join 50,000+ followers who make this podcast thrive.Want to listen to the show completely ad-free? Go to subscribetojj.com Enjoy the VIP experience for just $4.99/month or $49.99/year (save 17%!) Click “TRY FREE” and start your ad-free journey today! Full show notes (including all links mentioned): https://jjvirgin.com/dylan Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

"I really thought I was going to sail through menopause... until I didn't have it all figured out. I started going into early menopause at 42, and that's when everything changed." - Karen Martel Today, I sit down with hormone expert Karen Martel, to dive deep into the truth about perimenopause, menopause, weight gain, and hormone replacement therapy. As a nutritionist who experienced early menopause herself, Karen shares invaluable insights about why the conventional "calories in, calories out" approach fails so many women in midlife. Together, we explore why even health-conscious women who "do everything right" can still struggle with unexplained weight gain, mood changes, and other perimenopausal symptoms. Karen reveals game-changing information about estrogen's crucial role in metabolic health and why starting hormone replacement at the right time can make all the difference in your journey through menopause. If you're tired of being told it's "all in your head" or that you need to “eat less and exercise more”, this episode will validate you and arm you with the knowledge you need to take control of your hormonal health. What you'll learn: Why conventional advice about menopause and metabolism is often wrong, especially for women over 40 The surprising connection between estrogen levels and insulin resistance in midlife How to recognize early signs of perimenopause that most doctors miss Why the timing of starting hormone replacement therapy matters more than most realize The truth about progesterone dosing and why "more" isn't always better How modern environmental factors trigger earlier onset of perimenopausal symptoms The role of new medications, like GLP-1s, to support metabolic health in menopause Game-changing insights about topical estrogen for skin health and aging FULL show notes: https://www.jjvirgin.com/hormonecream Learn more about Karen Martel: https://karenmartel.com/ Karen’s over the counter line of bioidentical hormone creams. Use code jj for 10% off: https://karenmartel.com/?ref=JJVIRGIN Podcast: The Hormone Solution with Karen Martel: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-hormone-solution-with-karen-martel/id1438772276 Try out Dr. Anna Cabeca's Julva Cream: https://drannacabeca.com/?_ef_transaction_id=&oid=1&affid=5508182 Shop Oura Rings: https://ouraring.com/ Reignite Wellness™ Collagen Peptides Powder: https://reignitewellness.com/products/all-systems-glow-collagen Download my FREE Best Rest Sleep Cheat Sheet: https://jjvirgin.com/sleep Tape Measure: https://amzn.to/3wQw4Q2 Episode Sponsors: Try Timeline: https://www.timelinenutrition.com/shop?rfsn=7082975.4b75243 and use code JJ10 for 10% off of all products. Go to http://qualialife.com/VIRGINWELLNESS to try Qualia risk free for up to 100 days and use code VIRGINWELLNESS for an additional 15% off Take Karen’s Hormone Quiz and find out which hormones might be stopping you from losing weight

In this eye-opening episode, I dive deep into the most common diet mistakes that derail progress, including the shocking truth about calorie tracking (even nutritionists get this wrong!), why protein timing is crucial for maintaining muscle mass during weight loss, and the real reason cardio might be working against your goals. I also share specific strategies for tracking, essential tools for accurate measurement, and explain why focusing on body composition rather than just the number on the scale is key for lasting results. What you'll learn: Why tracking your food intake incorrectly (or not at all) could be sabotaging your progress The optimal protein intake for maintaining muscle mass while losing fat How excessive calorie restriction impacts your metabolism and muscle retention Why resistance training trumps cardio for sustainable body transformation The truth about bio-impedance scales and tracking meaningful progress Essential tools and apps for successful weight management FULL show notes: https://www.jjvirgin.com/worstmistakes Free Cronometer tracking app: jjvirgin.com/cronometer 7-Day Eat Protein First Challenge: http://jjvirgin.com/proteinfirst Use my Eat Protein First Calculator: http://jjvirgin.com/proteinfirst Food Scale: https://amzn.to/3IBttvS Download my free Resistance Training Cheat Sheet: https://jjvirgin.com/resistance Oxiline bioimpedance scale: https://oxiline.shop/product/scale-x-pro/?ref=mza2ntv Episode Sponsors: Try Timeline: https://www.timelinenutrition.com/shop?rfsn=7082975.4b75243 Use code JJ10 for 10% off all products Go to qualialife.com/VIRGINWELLNESS to try Qualia risk free for up to 100 days and code VIRGINWELLNESS for an additional 15% off

"The minute I put a little pressure on you in your life, you freak out. So what I want to do is figure out how to get this pressure and try to get calmer." - Gabby Reece In this powerful episode, I sat down with volleyball legend and wellness pioneer Gabby Reece to unpack her evolution from professional athlete to wellness entrepreneur. At 54, Gabby shares her refreshingly practical approach to aging powerfully, revealing how she has adapted her training methods to focus on longevity, while still maintaining the discipline that made her a champion. She opens up about her innovative training approach, combining underwater workouts, heat exposure, and strategic strength training—designed not solely for physical gains, but also for building mental resilience. What truly sets this conversation apart is Gabby's candid discussion about navigating her marriage to fellow athlete, Laird Hamilton, raising three daughters in today's sometimes overwhelming world, and finding the delicate balance between being a powerful woman and embracing vulnerability in her relationships. What you'll learn: How Gabby transformed her professional athlete training routine into a sustainable lifestyle focused on longevity The game-changing benefits of underwater training for both physical and mental resilience Why building muscle becomes increasingly crucial for women as they age The surprising truth about how she maintains her physique through simple nutrition principles Her refreshing perspective on marriage dynamics when both partners are high achievers Practical strategies for training smarter, not harder, as you age The importance of embracing discomfort for personal growth Full show notes: https://www.jjvirgin.com/highperformanceliving Learn more about Gabby Reece: https://gabriellereece.com/XPT - Extreme Performance Training: https://www.xptlife.com/ Shop Oura Rings: https://ouraring.com/ Reignite Wellness™ Bars: https://reignitewellness.com/collections/bars Dumbbells: https://amzn.to/3wVXDYf Kooru Cold Plunge: https://www.koorucoldplunges.com/ and use code JJVIP500 for $500 off. Download my free Resistance Training Cheat Sheet: https://jjvirgin.com/resistance Sunlighten Sauna: https://get.sunlighten.com/JJVirgin - use promo code JJVIRGIN when requesting pricing information for $600 off. Download my FREE Best Rest Sleep Cheat Sheet: https://jjvirgin.com/sleep Episode Sponsors: Try Timeline: https://www.timelinenutrition.com/shop?rfsn=7082975.4b75243 Use code JJ10 for 10% off all products Go to qualialife.com/VIRGINWELLNESS to try Qualia risk-free for up to 100 days and code VIRGINWELLNESS for an additional 15% off

In this game-changing episode, I'm tackling a topic that's close to my heart and crucial for every woman over 40: strength training. Drawing from decades of experience (I started at 16!), I'm sharing my evolved approach to building muscle and strength that's specifically tailored for midlife women. We're diving deep into why traditional cardio isn't enough and how proper resistance training can transform your body composition, boost your metabolism, and enhance your daily functionality. I'm breaking down everything from how to measure your starting point using DEXA scans to implementing a practical, progressive training routine that works for your lifestyle. Plus, I'm sharing my personal insights on why grip strength matters and how simple tools like a rucking vest can accelerate your results. What you'll learn: How to accurately measure and track your body composition beyond just the scale The critical connection between grip strength and overall health for women over 40 Why walking 8,000 steps daily is a foundation for success (and how to make it happen) The 4 essential movement patterns that will transform your strength training routine Why muscle building works differently in midlife and how to adapt your approach The truth about rest and recovery for optimal muscle growth after 40 Essential nutrition strategies to support your strength training goals Full show notes: https://www.jjvirgin.com/weighttraining 7-Day Eat Protein First Challenge: http://jjvirgin.com/proteinfirst Shop Apple Watches: https://amzn.to/43dn8QV Shop Oura Rings: https://ouraring.com/ Reignite Wellness™ Collagen Peptides Powder: https://reignitewellness.com/products/all-systems-glow-collagen Dumbbells: https://amzn.to/3wVXDYf Try SHEatine: https://reignitewellness.com/collections/all/products/sheatine-capsules Hand Grip Dynamometer: https://amzn.to/48OI2a1 Epsom Salt: https://amzn.to/3IxgmMm Download my free Resistance Training Cheat Sheet: https://jjvirgin.com/resistance Sunlighten Sauna: https://get.sunlighten.com/JJVirgin use promo code JJVIRGIN when requesting pricing information for $600 off. TRX Resistance Training Equipment: Free Shipping on all orders $99+: https://trxtraining.sjv.io/EKrvrP Episode Sponsors: Try Timeline: https://www.timelinenutrition.com/shop?rfsn=7082975.4b75243 Use code JJ10 for 10% off all products Go to qualialife.com/VIRGINWELLNESS to try Qualia risk free for up to 100 days and code VIRGINWELLNESS for an additional 15% off

"Once we fully collapse the belly fat, visceral fat, then we find the metabolism does become more fast and efficient." - Dr. Ashley Lucas In this episode, Dr. Ashley Lucas—former professional ballet dancer turned PhD in sports nutrition—breaks down the surprising science behind visceral fat. She reveals how this type of fat acts like its own organ, secreting hormones that actively resist your weight loss efforts. Drawing from her clinical work and success as the founder of PhD Weight Loss, Dr. Lucas challenges the common advice to “eat everything in moderation” and explains why it might be setting you up for failure. Tune in for a paradigm-shifting discussion on how understanding the true role of visceral fat is key to sustainable weight loss, especially for women over 40. What you'll learn: Why visceral fat acts like a "tumor" in your body and how it sabotages your metabolism The surprising truth about carbohydrate tolerance and why it's different for everyone How to identify and manage your personal food triggers for lasting success Why the habits needed for maintaining weight loss are different than those for losing it The critical mindset shifts required for sustainable transformation How stress perception impacts your ability to lose belly fat The reason you need to "collapse" visceral fat completely to prevent regain Full show notes: https://www.jjvirgin.com/ashley Shop Oura Rings: https://ouraring.com/ Oxiline bioimpedance scale: https://oxiline.shop/product/scale-x-pro/?ref=mza2ntv Omron Body Composition Scale: https://amzn.to/3IzidAc Track your protein & macros with Cronometer App: jjvirgin.com/cronometer Reignite Wellness™ Plant-Based & Paleo-Inspired All-In-One Shakes: https://reignitewellness.com/collections/shakes Download my FREE Resistance Training Cheat Sheet: https://jjvirgin.com/resistance Download my FREE Best Rest Sleep Cheat Sheet: https://jjvirgin.com/sleep Tape Measure: https://amzn.to/3wQw4Q2 Dr. Ashley Lucas on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DrAshleyLucas PHD Weight Loss on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PHDWeightLoss Dr. Ashley Lucas on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dr_ashleylucas/ PHD Weight Loss on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/phdweightloss/ Dr. Ashley Lucas on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@drashleylucas Get Ashley’s FREE ebook: 5 Steps to Reset the Scale: https://myphdweightloss.com/reset-the-scale-ebook/ Episode Sponsors: Try Timeline: https://www.timelinenutrition.com/shop?rfsn=7082975.4b75243 Use code JJ10 for 10% off all products Go to qualialife.com/VIRGINWELLNESS to try Qualia risk-free for up to 100 days and code VIRGINWELLNESS for an additional 15% off Get Ashley’s FREE ebook: 5 Steps to Reset the Scale