654: Gut Health, Hormones, and Strength: The Real Power Trio in Perimenopause with Dr. Christine Maren

Your 40s and beyond should NOT be a time of resignation… These years should be a time for you to show up and become who you truly want to be in this world That’s why in this episode, I’m joined by Dr. Christine Maren– a board-certified functional medicine physician and fellow mom– to unpack what’s really happening during perimenopause and how you can reclaim your energy, strength, and clarity. We’re diving into: How hormones impact your gut health The powerful role of lifting heavy weights Why consistent daily habits are your secret weapon How subtle lifestyle changes can lead to major transformations over time  We’ll help you understand why you’re not broken– your body is simply asking for a new kind of support. Dr. Maren has tons of tips to help you learn to show up for yourself with compassion and intention. It’s time to stop spinning your wheels and start stepping into your next chapter with confidence, because you deserve to feel like you again! Christine Maren, D.O. Dr. Christine Maren is a board-certified physician and the founder of a virtual functional medicine practice where she treats women struggling with hormone imbalances, thyroid dysfunction, gut issues, autoimmune conditions, and perimenopause/menopause transitions. She is certified by the Institute for Functional Medicine (IFMCP), board-certified by the American Board of Family Medicine (ABFM), and has advanced training through The Menopause Society and A4M. She sees patients in Colorado, Michigan, and Texas. IN THIS EPISODE The benefits of exercise and strength training in perimenopause  Supplements for immune and dietary support  Combining HRT and lifestyle strategies for optimal health  How hormones affect your gut microbiome in perimenopause Diet and nutrition recommendations for gut health  Navigating the misinformation around HRT   Workout tips for staying consistent  Ways to support your gut health during hormonal changes  QUOTES “It could help your mood and your motivation. It can help you sleep better so you can actually work out, because sleep is really the first priority. It can help you feel like yourself again and get you back to a better baseline.” “It's kind of like that in perimenopause. You can't just do HRT–  you also gotta work on your diet and your sleep and lift weights and move your body.” “There are some really important points about estrogen and how it affects your gut health...” RESOURCES MENTIONED Dr. Christine Maren’s Website: Accepting patients in CO, MI, & TX Dr. Maren’s Socials: Instagram Facebook  RELATED EPISODES  #635: The Connection Between Your Gut, Inflammation, Mood, and How to Start Healing Your Microbiome with Tina Anderson #632: The Secret to Optimal Sleep, Resilience, Performance and Emotional Wellbeing with Dr. Kristen Holmes #636: Improve Your Mood, Clear Brain Fog & Reverse Autoimmune Disease by Healing Your Microbiome with Dr. Steven Gundry #515: The Connection Between Gut Health and Hormone Balance with Dr. Vincent Pedre