Midlife Mayhem

This week’s episode is the one piece of advice I’d give anyone approaching midlife, dealing with it, or coming out the other side: be prepared.

We almost always wait until we’re in a situation to educate ourselves about it. We’re sitting in a pool of night sweats, googling what causes them. We’ve gained the weight, then we search for fat loss. We’ve lost 10 pounds of muscle, then we look up muscle loss with age. It’s like getting marriage advice in the middle of a divorce. The information doesn’t stick, because you’re t...

Midlife Is a Life Pivot: Why I’m Running Mastering Midlife Again in 2026

Mastering Midlife 2026 runs October 26 – November 21

Join Mastering Midlife → www.midlifemonth.com

For the first time since March, I’m running a live program again.

And honestly, I felt like I needed to.

I've spent much of this year working on my products, Blue Theory Skin Care and a few other things I'll tell you about later, but I kept coming back to the same thought:

I need to run Mastering Midlife again.

Not because we need...

Better Legs After 50! What 5 New Studies Say About Muscle, GLP-1s & Creatine

What if a cheap, well-studied supplement could specifically help the muscle most of us lose first after 50 — our legs?

That’s the finding I didn’t see coming this week, and it’s why I’m actually leading with something other than weight-loss medications for once!

In this episode of Midlife Mayhem, I’m breaking down five recent studies looking at creatine, weight-loss medications, muscle preservation, postmenopausal women, HIIT and resistance training.

And there’s one theme running through all five:

Muscle i...

The scale says “lean mass.” Your strength tells the fuller story.

If you’re using a GLP-1, moving through menopause, or simply trying to stay strong as you get older, losing weight isn’t the only thing that matters. What you’re losing—and what you’re keeping—matters more.

In this episode of Midlife Mayhem, I’m connecting three conversations that are usually discussed separately: protein, GLP-1 medications, and HRT.

We’re talking about why the standard protein RDA may not be enough when your goal is preserving or building muscle, why I recommend around o...

Subject: Should Women Rule the World? (Depends Which Decade)

Hey there, this episode is dedicated to my SIL and brother who are "Stranded in Albuquerque," which sounds like a bad movie :)  Love you much and good luck getting home tomorrow....

New episode of Midlife Mayhem is live, and this one got away from me a little — in the best way. I started with a silly question (should women run the world?) and ended up going down a genuine rabbit hole on hormones, age, and what actually makes a good leader. Whether you listen or just wan...

Midlife Hair Loss: Sue McLea’s Hair Regrowth Story & Why She Chose MONAT

Hair thinning and hair loss are among the biggest frustrations I hear from women in midlife. Our hair can feel like part of our identity, so watching it become thinner, more fragile or seeing our scalp where we never used to see it can have a surprisingly big impact on confidence.

For this episode, I invited my longtime friend and client Sue McLea to share her own experience.

I’ve known Sue for years, so I knew what her hair looked like befo...

Midlife Mayhem — Episode Show Notes

Hey there,

Two Instagram posts sent me down a rabbit hole this week, and I couldn't wait to bring it to you.

Post one: a woman says if you can't wrap your fingers around your wrist, you're "big boned" — not overweight, just built bigger. Post two: if your thigh isn't over 24 inches around, you'll apparently live longer. As someone who's trained for 44 years, can squat 200lbs, and still only measures 20 inches on a good day... I had thoughts.

So this episode is a myth autopsy. Both clai...

If you’re fit, strong and taking care of yourself — but suddenly feel like your skin didn’t get the memo — this episode is for you.

Crepey skin. Sagging skin. Wrinkly skin. Skin that suddenly seems too big for your body.

It is one of the biggest frustrations I hear from women and men in midlife. You can be in fantastic shape, yet suddenly you’re thinking twice about sleeveless tops because of your upper arms. You’re noticing the skin above your knees. Your chest looks different. The backs of your hands look older.

And s...

Why I Went to Istanbul for Dental Work — and Why I Chose Esnan

What happens when dental work that has lasted more than 30 years finally needs replacing — and you realize you don't necessarily want to have it done in the United States?

In this episode of Midlife Mayhem, I’m sharing my entire experience of traveling to Istanbul, Turkey, for extensive dental work: why I started looking overseas, why my first attempt in Cancún ended with me getting on a plane and coming home without having anything done, and the research that eventually led me to Esnan D...

Dietary Fat Is NOT a Free Food: Have We Become Too Comfortable With Fat?

For decades, we were terrified of dietary fat. Everything was low-fat, fat-free or reduced-fat, and eating fat was almost automatically associated with gaining body fat.

Then the pendulum swung.

We learned more about carbohydrates, blood glucose and insulin. Low-carb and ketogenic diets exploded in popularity. Avocados, nuts, olive oil, cheese and other high-fat foods went from foods we feared to foods we were actively encouraged to eat.

But have we swung a little too far in the other direction?<...

Teenage Boys, Puberty & Body Image: The Conversation We're Not Having

Most people assume body image struggles during puberty are a girls' issue.

They're wrong.

In this episode of Midlife Mayhem, Joanne shares why so many teenage boys are quietly struggling with their bodies—and why parents, coaches and even healthcare professionals often miss the signs.

Drawing on current research and over 30 years of coaching experience, Joanne explains the powerful hormonal changes happening during puberty, why boys compare themselves so harshly, and why many are judging themselves long before their bodies have reached their tr...

🎁 Listener Discount

As a thank you for listening to Midlife Mayhem, I'm giving you 20% off with the code FIRSTTIMER.

Despite the name, this is a one-time-use code, so even if you've ordered from me before, you can still use it—as long as you haven't used the FIRSTTIMER code previously.

Whether you'd like to try my Blue Theory skincare or my body composition supplements, it's my way of saying thank you for supporting the podcast.

Visit joanneleestore.com and enter FIRSTTIMER at checkout.

Is Menopause Really to Blame? The Truth About Hair Loss in Midlife

🎁 Every episode of Midlife Mayhem includes an exclusive listener discount!

As a thank you for listening, every podcast episode will feature a special discount code. Listen to this episode to hear the code, which can be used on my newly launched Blue Theory™ GHK-Cu Regenerative Face Serum, Blue Theory™ Face & Body Oil, 5-Amino-1MQ, SLU-PP-332, and my other products.

The code is only mentioned in the podcast—it won't be listed in the show notes. The discount code for this episode expires August 16, so be sur...

Ashwagandha Sensitivity: Why a "Stress Supplement" Can Make Some People Feel Worse

🎁 Every episode of Midlife Mayhem includes an exclusive listener discount!

As a thank you for listening, every podcast episode will feature a special discount code. Listen to this episode to hear the code, which can be used on my newly launched Blue Theory™ GHK-Cu Regenerative Face Serum, Blue Theory™ Face & Body Oil, 5-Amino-1MQ, and SLU-PP-332.

The code is only mentioned in the podcast—it won't be listed in the show notes.

Ashwagandha has become one of the most popular supplements for stres...

🎉 Fourth of July Specials (Ends July 5)

✨ 20% OFF Blue Theory™ GHK-Cu Face Serum & Face Oil
Use code BLUETHEORY at checkout.

✨ 15% OFF 5-Amino-1MQ & SLU-PP-332
Use code FOURTH at checkout.

These discounts expire July 5, and there won't be another holiday promotion until Labor Day.

Everyone is talking about hormone replacement therapy for women.

More and more people are talking about testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) for men.

Almost nobody is talking about what happens when both are happening inside the same marriage.

A husband s...

GHK-Cu: The Science Behind One of the Most Powerful Ingredients for Mature Skin July 4 Holiday Savings (Ends July 5)

Blue Theory™ Skincare: Save 20% with code BLUETHEORY

Supplements: Save 15% with code FOURTH

⏰ Both offers expire July 5, and the next holiday sale won't be until Labor Day, so if you're planning to reorder, now is the perfect time to stock up.

One of the questions I'm asked more than almost any other is...

"What can I actually do about ageing skin?"

Loose skin.

Crepey skin.

Loss of firmness.

Self-Sabotage, Negative Lumping & The Hidden Reasons We Stay Stuck

Why do intelligent, capable people keep getting in their own way?

In this episode of Midlife Mayhem, Joanne dives into one of the most frustrating human behaviors: self-sabotage. Whether it's body composition, business, relationships, or personal growth, most of us have experienced the feeling of knowing exactly what we should do—and then not doing it.

Joanne explores the deeper reasons behind self-sabotage, including fear of change, fear of success, limiting beliefs, identity conflicts, procrastination, perfectionism, and negative self-talk. She also introduces a powerful concept called ne...

Why Sweating & Coffee Might Be Saving Your Brain

Could your morning coffee and your occasional sauna session be doing more than helping you wake up or relax?

In this episode of Midlife Mayhem, Joanne dives into two fascinating studies that have Alzheimer's researchers paying close attention. One study followed more than 131,000 people for over 40 years and found a significant association between moderate coffee consumption and a reduced risk of dementia. The other examined a man carrying a rare genetic mutation that should have led to early-onset Alzheimer's disease—but somehow didn't.

What made him different?

Strength Training, the Fragility Threshold & Why Exercise Isn't Enough

Most people think that if they're active, they're doing enough to age well.

But there's a huge difference between being active and being strong.

In this episode of Midlife Mayhem, Joanne dives into one of the most important concepts in healthy aging: the fragility threshold—the point where your body loses the strength and resilience needed to stay independent.

This isn't about six-pack abs or athletic performance. It's about whether you can get off the floor, carry groceries, lift a grandchild, get out of a...

The Psychology of Weight Regain: Why The Battle Isn't On The Scale

Most people think weight loss is the hard part.

After more than 30 years coaching body composition, I'm convinced that's not totally true.

In fact, the anxiety can kick in when the weight is gone

In this episode, I explore one of the least discussed but most important topics in body composition: the psychology of weight regain. Not the calories. Not the macros. Not the exercise plan.

The psychology.

Because most people don't regain weight because t...

🎙️ The Enhanced Games: The Experiment That Accidentally Proved Hard Work Still Wins

When the Enhanced Games were announced, most people expected one thing:

Enhanced athletes dominating the competition.

The concept was simple. Allow athletes to openly use performance-enhancing drugs under medical supervision and finally discover what the human body is capable of when the restrictions are removed.

Many expected records to be shattered.

Many expected natural athletes to be left behind.

What actually happened was far more interesting.

One of the most talked-about athletes going into the Games...

Parkinson’s Disease, Dopamine, Gut Health & The Signs We Missed Why Parkinson’s may begin decades before the tremor — and what families need to understand

This week’s podcast is a very personal one for me.

We’re talking about Parkinson’s disease — but far beyond the “shaky hand” most people picture when they hear the word.

Because Parkinson’s is often much more complex than that.

My dad had Parkinson’s, but he didn’t have the classic tremor people associate with it. He became rigid. Stiff. Slower. His posture changed. His voice softened. His body...

New Podcast: “It’s Just a Scan”… Until It Isn’t

Quick question…

When your doctor says, “Let’s just do a scan,”
do you know what that actually means?

Because most people don’t.

And as we get older, scans start stacking up:
one leads to another… then a follow-up… then a “just to check.”

This episode breaks it down so you can actually understand what you’re saying yes to.

Not all scans are the same (even though we treat them like they are):

Estrogen Patch Shortage — What’s Really Going On

In this episode of Midlife Mayhem, Joanne breaks down a growing issue affecting thousands of women right now—the estrogen patch shortage—and why it’s not as simple as “just a supply problem.”

This isn’t about insurance games or pharmaceutical conspiracy. It’s a classic case of demand exploding faster than the system can handle. After the FDA removed the black box warning on hormone therapy, more women and doctors felt confident using HRT—and demand surged almost overnight.

But here’s the catch: estrogen patches aren’t simple...

This Week in Coaching: What Went Wrong (That Didn’t Have To)

This episode is a bit different.

I’m pulling straight from my week, because what shows up in coaching isn’t random—it’s patterns. And most of the time I’m sitting there thinking…

👉 this didn’t need to happen.

Three situations stood out this week. Different on the surface, but all pointing to the same thing: a gap between what people are doing and what their body actually needs.

Let’s start in the gym.

...

🚨 Let’s address the fear head-on…

Carbohydrates have become one of the most misunderstood—and frankly, feared—nutrients in the world of body composition.

And I get it.

If fat loss has been your focus, cutting carbs works. It lowers insulin, improves insulin sensitivity, and often unlocks fat loss that felt impossible.

But here’s the problem…

👉 The strategy that helps you lose weight
is not always the strategy that helps you build muscle.

And that’s where people get stuck.

Do you need carbs to b...

🎧 THE COMMON COLD — What’s REALLY Going On Inside Your Body (And Why It’s Not What You Think)

You think you “caught a cold”… but that’s not actually what happened.

In this episode of Midlife Mayhem, I’m recording this in real time—full head cold, blocked nose, zero taste, and all—because it’s the perfect opportunity to break down what’s actually happening inside your body.

And trust me… most people get this wrong.

It’s a label, not a specific disease.

What you’re experiencing is a...

Weekly Insulin, Testosterone & a Lesson I Should Have Known

A new insulin, Insulin icodec, has just been approved.

👉 One injection per week
👉 Instead of daily (or multiple daily) injections

That’s a major shift in how diabetes can be managed—and more importantly, how well people actually stick to it.

This is where most people get confused.

Type 2 diabetes starts with too much insulin…

…but over time, the pancreas burns out.

👉 Insulin drops
👉 Blood sugar rises
👉 The syst...

How Much Protein Do You REALLY Need? (And Why I’m Not Changing My Mind)

Everyone’s talking about protein again… and now the narrative is shifting.

“Studies say you don’t need that much.”
“0.7g per pound is enough.”
“Stop overdoing protein.”

Sounds convenient, doesn’t it?

In this episode of Midlife Mayhem, I break down exactly why I’m not changing my stance—and why aiming for 1 gram of protein per pound of goal weight still stands strong.

Because this isn’t just about muscle. Not even close.<...

Leptin: The Hormone That Can Make You Hungry… or Not

Hello Midlife Mayhem—

Today we’re talking about something that explains a LOT when it comes to fat loss and appetite:

👉 Leptin

And I’ll start with this—

I recently did a podcast on appetite, and while the information was solid…
I didn’t fully acknowledge the people who are:

👉 Hungry all the time
👉 Fighting cravings constantly
👉 Being told “just eat less” when it feels impossible

This episode fixes that.

Leptin is your body...

NNMT, Cancer Risk & 5-Amino-1MQ – Where Science Ends and Assumptions Begin

Alright… this one is interesting.

Because I talk a lot about 5-Amino-1MQ—
mainly in the context of fat loss, metabolic health, and keeping weight off long term.

But recently, I was in a conversation with a doctor…
and he told me he personally takes it because his mother died from a glioblastoma.

And his reasoning?

👉 It inhibits NNMT
👉 NNMT is involved in certain cancers
👉 So… maybe there’s something there

Now before we go any furt...

Insulin Isn’t the Enemy: Why Carbs Might Actually Help You Build Muscle

Show Notes

Before we dive in, a couple of quick reminders.

My Muscle Month program starts March 29, and it only runs once a year. If you’ve been thinking about joining, this is the time. The program walks you through exactly how muscle is built and protected in midlife — including insulin, carbohydrates, mTOR, AMPK, and how to actually use these tools to your advantage.

You can join at musclemonth.com.
The cost is $525, and if you’d prefer t...

The Gallbladder: What It Does, Why It Gets Removed, and Why Rapid Weight Loss Can Cause Problems 🎯 Muscle Month Starts March 29

Enrollment is now open for Muscle Month, my once-a-year program focused entirely on building muscle and improving body composition in midlife.

If you’ve spent years focused only on weight loss, this program will show you why muscle is the real key to metabolism, longevity, and changing your body shape.

The program includes detailed coaching on:

• muscle building in midlife
• training strategies that actually work
• metabolism and body composition
• how to eat to...

💪 Muscle Month starts March 29 (in a couple of weeks!)

If you want to actually build muscle with strategy — not random reps — this is where it happens:
👉 www.musclemonth.com

Hello hello. Today we’re talking about ladies’ triceps — you know… the moment you wave and something waves back. 🙄

And what makes it extra annoying is this:

You can be training hard.
You can be strong.
You can be lean-ish.
You can be doing “all the right things.”

And still… the back of the a...

Appetite: Is It Really Hunger… or Something You Learned? Join Muscle Month — starts March 29

If this episode speaks to you, and you know it’s time to better understand food, muscle, metabolism, and the way your body actually works, Joanne’s once-a-year Muscle Month program begins March 29.

Muscle is finally getting the attention it deserves — but most people still miss the mark. They know muscle matters, but they don’t really understand how to build it, support it, or eat in a way that makes the whole process feel purposeful and sustainable.

Muscle Month is designed to...

💪 Muscle Month Starts VERY Soon — March 29!

If you want to understand your body in a way most trainers never will…
If you want to stop guessing in the gym…
If you want to build shape intentionally instead of accidentally…

👉 www.musclemonth.com

(And Why Your Glutes Aren’t Growing)

As promised — today we’re talking about quad dominance.

And I hear this constantly.

Usually from women in their 30s and early 40s:

“I’m squatting.”
“I’m lunging.”
“I’m lifting heavy.”
“Why are my thigh...

💪 Muscle Month Starts March 29

If you’re ready to build muscle properly — including glutes that actually fire — join me here:

👉 www.musclemonth.com

And if you’re supporting your metabolism alongside your training:

⚡ 5-Amino-1MQ & SLU-PP-332 available at
👉 www.joanneleestore.com

I keep hearing the phrase “lazy glutes.”

And honestly… it makes me twitch a little.

How can the strongest, most powerful muscle group in your body be lazy?

It can’t.

But it can be badly recruited.

And th...

🦴 Your Bone Bank And Why Midlife Is Where It Gets Real

Hello hello — welcome back to Midlife Mayhem.

Quick update first:

🔥 Muscle Month is back on.
📅 March 29 – April 25
👉 www.musclemonth.com

This is my favourite program to coach because we build muscle properly. And after today’s topic, you’ll understand why that matters more than ever.

Think of your skeleton like a savings account.

You do most of your depositing before age 20.

👉 Up to 90% of adult bone mass is built by 18–20.
👉 Peak bon...

🔴 Red Light Therapy — The Bit Nobody Explains Properly

Red light therapy is not one thing.

People hear “red light” and assume a face mask, a mat, a sauna, and a $3,000 panel are all just different price points of the same thing.

They’re not.

They are doing different jobs in the body.

And if you don’t understand that, you either overspend…
or you buy the wrong tool and feel disappointed.

So here’s what actually matters.

When we talk about red light...

🤨 Three Topics That Should Never Be in the Same Episode (But Are)

Today we’re talking about:

Why women mysteriously stop growing leg hair as they age

Why your estrogen patch might feel like it “stopped working”

And why Taco Bell Supreme has sent my client to the ER every single time she eats it

This is not a shock-value episode.
This is a “your body is communicating very clearly and you should probably listen” episode.

At some point — us...