We’re not done yet.

In Part 2 of this important conversation, Dr. Sara McKinney dives deeper into the realities of hormone imbalance, perimenopause, and the emotional and physical toll it takes on women — especially when doctors dismiss your concerns.

Below you’ll find a link to Dr. McKinney's profile at UCSD Health and links to some of the memoirs and recommendations she mentioned during our conversation so you can explore further or follow up on anything that resonated with you.

Sara McKinney, MD - Obstetrics & Gynecology | UC San Diego Health

Brook Shield Is Not Allowed to Get Old by Brooke Shields
Paris, The Memoir by Paris Hilton
Tell Me Everything: A Memoir by Minka Kelly
Finding Me: A Memoir of Radical Honesty and Self-Discovery by Viola Davis

Gyn & Tonic Podcast on Apple Podcasts
Gyn & Tonic Podcast on Spotify

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Are you feeling off, overwhelmed, or just… not like yourself? You’re not alone — and you’re definitely not crazy.

In this episode of Welcome to Women's Health, Dr. Sara McKinney gets real about the symptoms so many women experience but few doctors talk about: mood swings, low sex drive, sleep issues, brain fog, and hormone shifts tied to perimenopause and menopause. She shares what most OB/GYNs are missing in these conversations — and what you should be asking for in your own care.

Whether you’re in your 30s, 40s, or beyond, this episode will help you feel heard, understood, and empowered to take control of your health.

Below you’ll find a link to Dr. McKinney's profile at UCSD Health and links to some of the memoirs and recommendations she mentioned during our conversation so you can explore further or follow up on anything that resonated with you.

Sara McKinney, MD - Obstetrics & Gynecology | UC San Diego Health

Brook Shield Is Not Allowed to Get Old by Brooke Shields
Paris, The Memoir by Paris Hilton
Tell Me Everything: A Memoir by Minka Kelly
Finding Me: A Memoir of Radical Honesty and Self-Discovery by Viola Davis

Gyn & Tonic Podcast on Apple Podcasts
Gyn & Tonic Podcast on Spotify

Send us a text

Crazy Stupid Midlife

Follow us on Instagram: @crazystupidmidlife

What if you had a community of women showing up with you—every day—for 100 days of real, sustainable wellness?

In this episode, we’re inviting you to join us and Coach Sasha, founder of LeanPowerment, for the 100 Day Healthy Challenge—a guided program built to help you feel strong, energized, and empowered in your body and mind.

This is about consistency, connection, and confidence—with the kind of support that actually keeps you going.

You’ll hear:

• What the 100 Day Healthy Challenge is all about
• How this program builds on Sasha’s signature LEAN coaching methods
• The power of community and why doing this together makes all the difference
• Simple ways to get started—no matter your current routine

If you’ve been waiting for a sign to reset your habits, focus on your health, and feel better in your body—this is it!

Join the challenge, connect with our community, and make the next 100 days count.

Ready to join the challenge?

CLICK HERE TO JOIN NOW!

Let’s do this. Together. 💥

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Crazy Stupid Midlife

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This week, we’re talking current media obsessions — the shows, books, and movies we’re hooked on right now and why we can’t stop thinking about them.

From drama to nostalgia, here’s what’s been living rent-free in our brains lately — plus the shows, books, and movies on our to-watch and to-read lists.

📺 TV Shows: White Lotus, Younger, Sirens, Friends and Neighbors, Sex Life, Dying for Sex, and We Were Liars.
📚 Books: All Fours, Scythe, Brooke Shields is not allowed to Get Old, The Great Alone, Pretty Girls
🎬 Movies: Twilight, The Substance — a wild ride we’re still processing, Coda, A Simple Favor, Anora, Baby Girl, and The Idea of You, This is Where I Leave You.

We’re chatting about what we love, what surprised us, what we didn't like, and what these stories are teaching us about ourselves.

It’s honest, a little chaotic, and full of recommendations if you’re looking for your next obsession.

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Crazy Stupid Midlife

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What does it actually take to feel strong, energized, and empowered? In this episode, we’re joined by Coach Sasha, founder of LeanPowerment and creator of the LEAN coaching programs, to talk about what real wellness looks like when you’re not 25 anymore—and thank goodness for that.

We dive into:

• The power of daily movement and why it’s more impactful than extreme fitness trends
• Sasha’s “100 Days of Health” philosophy and how committing to small, consistent actions can lead to long-term change
• The truth about nutrition — from getting enough protein and the importance of healthy fats to understanding how addictive sugar really is
• How Sasha creates individualized coaching programs that meet women where they’re at
• Why accountability, community, and consistency matter so much more than motivation alone

If you’re ready to get honest about what your body and mind truly need right now and want to ditch the guilt, perfectionism, and quick-fix mentality -- this episode will feel like the reset button you’ve been looking for.

Ready to take what you heard and turn it into action? Here are all the links and resources mentioned in this episode with Sasha:

Connect with Sasha

• LEANpowerment.com
• FACEBOOK:
  • Coach Sasha's Page
  • LEANpowerment Page
• INSTAGRAM:
  • Coach Sasha's Page: @coachsasha_leanpowerment
  • LEANpowerment Page
• TIKTOK:
  • Coach Sasha's Page: @fitreprenuer
  • LEANpowerment Page: @leanpowerment

Recipes and Supplements Sasha Mentioned

• Coach Sasha's Protein Pancake Recipe
• AMARE Happy Juice!

Supplements From Dannielle & Renee's Wellness Toolkit

• Mind Body Green Creatine with Taurine
• Nutricost Creatine Monohydrate
• Puritan's Pride Omega-3 Fish Oil
• The Pause Life Fiber GDX
• LivOn Laboratories Lypo-Spheric Glutathione
• Sports Medicine Vitamin D3+K2

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Crazy Stupid Midlife

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This week, we’re stepping into the wilderness of midlife — careers shifting, creativity stretching, and the occasional emotional bear attack.

In this honest check-in episode, we unpack what we’ve been navigating lately using a little metaphor magic:

• Lions for the bold moves we’ve made (like launching this podcast and starting new jobs)
• Tigers for the fears and wild cards we didn’t see coming
• Bears for the burnout, boundaries, and the deep craving for rest

From Dannielle’s new telehealth role and navigating important life decisions, to Renee wrangling podcast systems and prepping to teach four subjects next year — we’re talking about what it really feels like to be in the thick of it.

It’s raw, it’s real, and it might just make you feel a little less alone in your own wild.

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Crazy Stupid Midlife

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In this episode of Crazy Stupid Midlife, we step inside Madhouse Dance, a sensual, empowering studio where movement becomes medicine. We’re joined by Olivia Kingston, founder of Madhouse, and Kira Hoerres, studio manager and fierce advocate for body confidence and self-expression.

Together, they share how Madhouse became more than just a dance studio—it’s a community where women experience self-love transformations as they reconnect with their bodies, rediscover joy, and unleash their inner power. We dive into the magic of Redroom Dance Cardio classes, how dance became a healing force, and why celebrating your sexy isn’t just allowed—it’s essential.

This conversation is honest, electric, and deeply affirming. Whether you’ve never danced a day in your life or you’re ready to drop it low, Olivia and Kira will make you want to move, laugh, and love yourself a little harder.

If you’ve ever felt disconnected from your body or curious about stepping into your sexy era, this one’s for you.

Inspired to dance it out or connect with the Madhouse Dance community?

Check out their website and follow along on Instagram for all the latest classes, events, and inspiration. Follow the call for the disco ball! 🪩

Madhouse Dance

Instagram: @madhousedance

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Crazy Stupid Midlife

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In this must-listen episode of Crazy Stupid Midlife, Renee steps into the listener’s chair while Dannielle, a licensed nurse practitioner, shares her expert insights on hormone replacement therapy (HRT) and the hormonal rollercoaster of midlife. From night sweats and mood swings to bone health and beyond, they dig into the science, the stigma, and the stories that make menopause anything but simple.

Together, they explore:

• What HRT really is—and what it isn’t
• The truth behind common myths (yes, we’re talking about that cancer rumor)
• Holistic strategies that support hormonal wellness
• Why personalized care and self-advocacy are everything

With over 1 billion women expected to be in menopause by 2025, this episode is your guide to navigating the transition with clarity, support, and a whole lot less confusion.

Resources & References from the Episode:

Curious to learn more? Below you’ll find links to the peer-reviewed studies and trusted resources that Dannielle references in this episode. Whether you’re researching HRT or just want to dig deeper into hormonal health, we’ve got the science to back it up.

1. Women's Health Initiative (WHI)
   Study: Rossouw et al. (2002), JAMA
   Summary: Initial findings showed increased risk of breast cancer, heart disease, and stroke. However, follow-up analyses clarified these risks were age- and timing-dependent. For healthy women under 60 or within 10 years of menopause, benefits often outweigh risks.
2. Kronos Early Estrogen Prevention Study (KEEPS)
   Study: Harman et al., Annals of Internal Medicine, 2014
   Summary: Found that HRT started early in menopause is safe, supports mood, bone health, and does not increase cardiovascular risk.
3. ELITE Trial (Early vs. Late Intervention Trial with Estradiol)
   Study: Hodis et al., New England Journal of Medicine (NEJM), 2016
   Summary: Showed that early initiation of estradiol therapy slows atherosclerosis progression, while late initiation offers no cardiovascular benefit.
4. North American Menopause Society (NAMS) 2022 Position Statement
   Source: Menopause Journal, 2022
   Summary: Endorses HRT for healthy women under 60 or within 10 years of menopause to relieve symptoms and reduce risks of osteoporosis and possibly cardiovascular disease.
5. International Menopause Society (IMS) Global Consensus 2022
   Source: Climacteric Journal, 2022
   Summary: Supports use of personalized HRT as safe and effective for symptom management and long-term health in early postmenopause.
6. British Menopause Society (BMS) Guidelines 2020
   Source: BMS Consensus Statement
   Summary: Offers practical clinical advice supporting individualized HRT, especially body-identical hormones, as a safe option for symptom relief and long-term health.

For menopause care:

• Visit The Menopause Society to find a certif

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Crazy Stupid Midlife

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