Ep. 180 - From Stiff to Strong, the interview with Leah Vachani and Dr. Fiona Lovely

In this special episode, we're sharing Dr. Lovely's interview from the Women Aging Powerfully Summit with host Leah Vachani. With 20 years of clinical experience in women's physical and mental health, Dr. Lovely pulled back the curtain on Musculoskeletal Syndrome of Menopause (MSM)—a debilitating but rarely discussed condition tied to estrogen loss. Here are the key insights from their conversation.

Highlights from the interview:

• MSM affects 71% of women, yet remains underdiagnosed, with symptoms like joint stiffness, bone density loss, and declining muscle mass.

• Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) is protective: Bioidentical progesterone (key for nerve messages to the brain and back) and estradiol reduce pain, improve bone density, and preserve muscle.

• Protein is a game-changer: Most women eat only 55–75g/day, but keeping protein consumption optimal stabilizes blood sugar, and fights sarcopenia.

• Movement is non-negotiable: Resistance training and balance exercises (like single-leg stands) prevent falls and cognitive decline—even 60-second movement breaks boost metabolism.

• Doctor advocacy tips: Ask specifically for contemporary HRT like bioidentical progesterone and topical estrogen, and reference Dr. Vonda Wright's MSM research if met with resistance.

Whether you're experiencing MSM, navigating menopause, or facing other health challenges at midlife, this conversation is an invitation to listen inward. The hidden pain of musculoskeletal changes asks us to honor our bodies with better nutrition, intentional movement, and empowered healthcare choices. Dr. Lovely's insights remind us that healing begins when we trust our symptoms as messengers—not enemies—and have the courage to advocate for treatments that align with our biological truth.

This is more than a discussion about hormones and joints—it's about reclaiming agency. When we understand the science behind our pain, we transform fear into action. When we prioritize protein and strength, we rewrite the narrative of decline. And when we speak up in our doctor's office, we honor the wisdom of our bodies in a medical system that often dismisses women's pain.

The path through menopause isn't about passive acceptance—it's about meeting your body with curiosity, compassion, and the conviction that you deserve solutions.

If you wish to purchase the whole summit, you are welcome to visit this link: ➡️https://womenagingpowerfully.com

 

Thank you to our sponsors for this episode:

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Dr. Fiona Lovely is a longevity, health and wellness expert with specialties in menopause medicine, functional neurology and functional medicine.  She is speaking to the topics of women's health around perimenopause and menopause.

How to work with Dr. Lovely:

We get many requests for this info, so here it is!  First off, thank you for listening to the NYMM podcast.  It's because of your support, we can continue to dispense this information.❤️

For the NYMM store, where Dr. Lovely has stacked her favourite supplements, labs and lifestyle products, go here:  .css-j9qmi7{display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;-webkit-flex-direction:row;-ms-flex-direction:row;flex-direction:row;font-weight:700;margin-bottom:1rem;margin-top:2.8rem;width:100%;-webkit-box-pack:start;-ms-flex-pack:start;-webkit-justify-content:start;justify-content:start;padding-left:5rem;}@media only screen and (max-width: 599px){.css-j9qmi7{padding-left:0;-webkit-box-pack:center;-ms-flex-pack:center;-webkit-justify-content:center;justify-content:center;}}.css-j9qmi7 svg{fill:#27292D;}.css-j9qmi7 .eagfbvw0{-webkit-align-items:center;-webkit-box-align:center;-ms-flex-align:center;align-items:center;color:#27292D;}