Jj Virgin Lifestyle Show

Every woman over 40 should get a mammogram, right? Maybe not.  In today’s episode of the podcast, I’m talking to Dr. Felice Gersh, an award-winning OB/GYN and integrative medicine physician, about the types of breast cancer and the ways we diagnose it. Join us as we delve into the risks and benefits of mammograms and the movement towards early detection. We discuss the realities of radiation exposure, genetic risk factors,  inflammation, and whether or not some women are being overtreated.  Dr. Gersh breaks down different tests and how she’s decided to manage her risk. Plus, she shares the key to turning off inflammation after menopause.  By the end of this episode, you’ll feel more empowered to decide what’s best for your breasts.  The views expressed in this episode represent those of one expert and do not necessarily apply to all listeners. Speak to your doctor about health concerns related to your specific medical history and needs. Full show notes: jjvirgin.com/mammo Learn more about Dr. Felice Ge

Is apple cider vinegar worthy of the attention it gets?  These days, it seems like no matter the problem, someone believes apple cider vinegar is the cure. But is it really all it’s cracked up to be? Can it actually help your skin, stomach, and heart… and clean your countertops? Today, I’m taking a closer look at what apple cider vinegar is, the weight loss and other claims, its famous fans throughout history, and the benefits science can back up—one benefit could be especially valuable for a third of the population.  Of course, I’ll also be sharing the dos and don’ts of using it and sharing tips for doing so. This is a super helpful primer on ACV for skeptics and fans alike. Join me and learn to maximize its benefits to improve your health and wellbeing.  Full show notes: jjvirgin.com/applecidervinegar Watch the FULL VIDEO on my YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/jjvirginvideos Learn how foods cause leaky gut in The Virgin Diet: https://store.jjvirgin.com/products/the-virgin-diet-paperback Subsc

Join me in this captivating episode as we explore the world of continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) and its profound impact on health optimization. I am thrilled to be joined by Kara Collier, a Registered Dietitian and the Director of Nutrition at NutriSense, who is a leading authority on CGM technology. Kara explains why high-energy exercises like weightlifting or HIIT can cause glucose spikes due to increased energy demands, and why exercise spikes are different from those caused by sugary foods. We also discuss how steady-state cardio and gentle walks can help lower glucose levels. To improve your overall health, we examine three key factors that affect blood sugar and discuss the importance of optimal glucose metabolism, plus how fluctuations in glucose are more important indicators of cardiovascular health than average blood-sugar levels alone.  You’ll learn about the transformative power of continuous glucose monitoring to gain insights that can revolutionize your well-being. Full show notes: jjvirgi

Have you ever wondered which foods are most beneficial for your skin? In this episode, I discuss nine amazing anti-aging foods that can work wonders for your appearance. You’ll learn how these foods can help you achieve a more youthful glow by transforming your skin from the inside out.  We start out with the importance of protein for nourishing and rebuilding your skin. By simply incorporating protein-rich foods into your daily diet, you can actually promote the production of collagen and enjoy healthier, more radiant look. I also uncover the fascinating connection between gut health and skin problems. An imbalance in your gut microbiome can greatly affect your skin's health and contribute to various skin conditions such as atopic dermatitis, psoriasis, acne, and more.  You’ll also learn the bold spice that can help reduce DNA damage. Plus, the daily beverage that can help reduce the appearance of dark spots on the skin and support a more even complexion. Finally, we delve into the antioxidant-rich prope

Join me as we delve into the fascinating world of hormones with my guest, Deb Matthew, The Happy Hormones Doctor. Dr. Deb is a bestselling author, international speaker, and educator featured on NBC, ABC, CBS, FOX, and more. Together, we unravel the complexities of hormone-replacement therapy and uncover empowering strategies for achieving optimal hormone health. From the impact of hormonal changes on mood, memory, and relationships to the benefits of bioidentical hormone-replacement therapy, Dr. Matthew shares her insights and personal experience in addressing menopausal symptoms. We dive deep into the role of lifestyle factors and personalized approaches to help you to thrive during this transformative stage of life. Dr. Deb also sheds light on the misleading nature of media coverage when it comes to hormone health, as well as some of the other common misconceptions.  Prepare yourself for a treasure trove of invaluable information that will pave the way for a healthier, more energized life. Join us as we

Is this the key to burning fat after 40? Today I’m going to talk about the healthy-aging, health-boosting hack that’s like a spring cleaning for your cells. The good news is it’s simple and inexpensive to do. The secret is…fasting.  In this episode, I explore how you can optimize your health through strategic eating and fasting, as well as their profound effects on your body. It's all here, from the importance of easing into fasting gradually to the benefits of growth-hormone production. An important takeaway is that eating at specific times of the day can have remarkable effects on your health. Did you know the best way to help reset and rejuvenate your body is to fast for 12 to 14 hours overnight? Plus, discover how a 6-8 hour feeding window optimizes your metabolism and energy levels. I emphasize balance, consistency, and personalized approaches to fasting throughout this episode, so you can identify which method is best for you. My goal is to empower you with the knowledge and strategies you need to ma

In this episode, I tackle the effects of alcohol consumption on your body and discover strategies to drink wisely while minimizing the downsides. I am joined by the insightful Sara Banta, owner of Accelerated Health Products and host of Accelerated Health Radio and TV. Sara's personal journey started when she hit rock bottom, facing Crohn's disease, hormonal issues, PCOS, and heavy-metal toxicity. Determined to find answers and solutions outside of Western medicine, she uncovered traditional remedies that truly worked for her. Along the way, she received a life-altering wake-up call when her 9-year-old son was diagnosed with leukemia. This pivotal moment ignited Sara's calling to shed light on the world of natural health. In this episode, Sara and I dive deep into the effects of alcohol on the body, including its impact on the liver, digestion, hormonal health, and other vital functions. Together, we provide actionable strategies to help you drink with wisdom, such as reducing intake, tracking consumption,

Are you tired of battling different types of hunger that sabotage your health goals? Join me on this eye-opening journey as we uncover the four key types of hunger: homeostatic, emotional, environmental, and hormonal. When it comes to eating, I advocate for the plate method, with a strong emphasis on eating protein first. Protein is not only satiating but also aids in blood-sugar balance and curbing hunger. Pairing protein with fiber-rich, non-starchy vegetables, fruits, and slow low carbs like lentils and wild rice can keep you feeling satisfied for longer. Additionally, incorporating healthy fats from sources such as extra-virgin olive oil and wild salmon can help suppress hunger by triggering the release of gut neuropeptides.  Hydration is also a key aspect of managing hunger. I stress the importance of consuming plenty of fluids, including water, green tea, and black coffee. By addressing hormonal eating patterns, such as stress eating and PMS-related cravings, we can better understand the triggers and

In this episode, I am joined by my friend, Shawn Stevenson, author of the USA Today national bestseller, Eat Smarter, and the international bestselling book, Sleep Smarter. He is also the creator of The Model Health Show, which has been ranked as the #1 health podcast in the US. His health expertise has been recognized by major media outlets such as Forbes, Fast Company, The New York Times, and ABC News, among others. During our conversation, we go beyond the surface and delve into the fascinating world of fat loss and metabolism. Shawn challenges the accuracy of the traditional calories-in, calories-out model for weight loss, arguing that it oversimplifies the complexities of food and its role in the body. We explore its origins in physics and engineering and reveal its limitations when applied to nutrition. This thought-provoking discussion challenges the validity and practicality of the widely accepted model. One of the highlights of Shawn's insights is the significant impact of the type of food consumed

Are you ready to tackle the world of weight loss and metabolic adaptation? Join me on this empowering journey as we dive into these obstacles and equip you with the essential strategies to avoid diet failure. First, going all in and committing fully to a healthy lifestyle is crucial for long-term success. Today, I'll share some practical methods that will help you make conscious food choices, establish a regular exercise routine, and cultivate a positive mindset. We'll also explore the importance of detoxification. Our bodies are exposed to toxins that can hinder weight loss and overall health. Supporting your body's natural detox processes optimizes metabolism and enhances fat loss. Lastly, I will discuss identifying hidden food intolerances and lowering sugar impact. When we consume foods our bodies can't tolerate, it leads to inflammation, bloating, and weight gain. By eliminating these trigger foods and reducing sugar intake, you regain control over your health. Additionally, incorporating strength trai

Are you ready to tackle the world of weight loss and metabolic adaptation? Join me on this empowering journey as we dive into these obstacles and equip you with the essential strategies to avoid diet failure. First, going all in and committing fully to a healthy lifestyle is crucial for long-term success. Today, I'll share some practical methods that will help you make conscious food choices, establish a regular exercise routine, and cultivate a positive mindset. We'll also explore the importance of detoxification. Our bodies are exposed to toxins that can hinder weight loss and overall health. Supporting your body's natural detox processes optimizes metabolism and enhances fat loss. Lastly, we'll discuss identifying hidden food intolerances and lowering sugar impact. When we consume foods our bodies can't tolerate, it leads to inflammation, bloating, and weight gain. By eliminating these trigger foods and reducing sugar intake, you regain control over your health. Additionally, incorporating strength trai

Plants have the power to help restore your health—as long as you know how to use them! And thankfully, my friend Dr. Alan Christianson is back on the podcast to tell us exactly how to take advantage of nature’s wisdom to help restore hormonal balance.  We kick off the episode by busting the myth that plants are a food to fear. On the contrary, Dr. Alan posits that thanks to a “full on arms race” in the plant kingdom, your body simply can’t operate at its full capacity without them. And in his new book, The Hormone Healing Cookbook, you’re going to learn exactly how to foster that connection. I chat with Dr. Alan about how he scoured the latest research to find ways that plants can promote hormone balance naturally, helping with symptoms ranging from insomnia to hot flashes to weight gain. As a lazy chef myself, I’m thrilled to report that he uncovered the ways humble, easy-to-use ingredients like oats, onions, figs, and beets can improve your health. (I’ll admit there’s one recipe that wouldn’t be my person

Be honest. How often do you start your morning pounding the snooze button or scrolling your phone under the covers? I’m going to be real with you: You’re sabotaging your entire day when you start your morning that way. This week, I’m breaking down the science behind why starting your morning off on the right foot doesn’t just give you a natural energy boost. It also dictates your mood, performance, and energy levels from morning to night. And not only that—you sleep better when you start your day off right, too!  Here’s the good news: There are three super easy steps you can take to kick off a great morning—including one I was very skeptical about, but is now something I’ll never give up. And the best part is, these daily habits are free and accessible to all. Plus, towards the end of the show, I’m revealing my personal morning routine (hint: it involves some shivering).  Tune in today so you can start doing these three things tomorrow!  Full show notes: jjvirgin.com/peakenergy Andrew Huberman recommend

No matter which stage of menopause you’re in, you are not going to want to miss this episode…in fact you might want to listen to it more than once. My guest on this episode, Dr. Mary Claire Haver, might be my new soul sister. She’s the author of The Galveston Diet and a board certified OB-GYN who has devoted her adult life to women's health. When she began to experience the changes of menopause and midlife weight gain, she created her online program, The Galveston Diet—the first and only nutrition program in the world created by a female OB-GYN, designed for women in menopause. As part of her ongoing research, she became certified in Culinary Medicine in 2019, specializing in medical nutrition, and opened Mary Claire Wellness in 2021. If you’ve struggled with menopausal weight gain, tried all the diet plans and exercise routines, and become frustrated with the lack of support around women’s health, then listen up! We’re unpacking what’s really going on in menopause, the types of fat we carry and how they af

I am constantly getting questions from my community about what my workout routine looks like, so in this episode, I’m laying it all out for you! I turned 60 this year and I trained for my birthday. It was and is important to me to work hard to be the strongest and fittest I have ever been. And you know what? It’s working! I’ve never felt better in my life than I do at 60, and I want to share the strategies I’m using with you so you can move into the next phase of your life feeling strong and full of vitality. In today’s episode, I explain why you MUST build muscle to promote healthy aging, the types of training you need to incorporate into your workout routine, how to measure progress, the foods and supplements that will get you the best results, and more. I’m even giving you a template for the perfect strength training workout, and my favorite self-care practices that will amplify your results. Following the recommendations I’m laying out in this episode could help add years to life—don’t miss it! Full

We all know we should probably spend less time on our phones, turn off the television, and be more intentional about quality time with the people we love. But what if I told you that by making a few changes in your life and habits, you could reclaim up to 16 years of your life…would you want to know more? Named a “Self-Help Guru” by Elle magazine, Melissa Ambrosini is the bestselling author of Mastering Your Mean Girl, Open Wide, Comparisonitis, and the Audible Original PurposeFULL. She is the host of the #1-rated podcast, The Melissa Ambrosini Show, where she shares her wisdom and interviews with the biggest thought leaders and experts in the world to help her audience unlock their full potential and live their dream life. On this episode, she’s joined by her husband, Nick Broadhurst, a renowned singer-songwriter and former member of ARIA award-winning band Sneaky Sound System. With their new book, Time Magic, Melissa and Nick share how they learned to create a more spacious life—one where their family and

I recently celebrated my 60th birthday, and I am more excited for the next decade of my life than any other time in the past. I truly feel better than ever before, and today I want to share some of the habits I’ve learned that help me age powerfully and enjoy every step along the way. One study found that people with a positive perception of aging actually lived an average of 7.5 years longer than those who had a negative perception! So I’m embracing each new year focused on pursuing my passions and aging with purpose and positivity. In today’s episode, I share the types of goals I set to keep me inspired and engaged. I’ll reveal my favorite self-care tips, and how I’m tracking my fitness and staying in the best shape of my life. I’ve been working in the world of fitness for 40 years, so that’s saying something! I’ll also share my best diet advice and the supplements I take every day for healthy aging. Tune in and find out how you can live your best life in the second half! Full show notes: jjvirgin.com/b

I think we can all agree that the last couple years have taken a little toll on our health, especially in terms of the stress we've all been under. So I was really excited when a popular guest of our show and longtime friend Dr. Izabella Wentz came out with her new book, The Adrenal Transformation Protocol. Dr. Izabella Wentz is a compassionate, innovative, solution-focused integrative pharmacist dedicated to finding the root causes of health conditions. As an accomplished author, Dr. Wentz has written several best-selling books, including the #1 New York Times bestseller Hashimoto’s Protocol: A 90-Day Plan for Reversing Thyroid Symptoms and Getting Your Life Back. Her latest book focuses on resetting the body’s stress response through targeted safety signals and features a 4-week program that has already helped over 3,500 people. The program has an impressive success rate, with over 80% of participants reporting positive changes to their brain health, fatigue, irritability, sleep quality, and libido. In t

If you're over 40 and trying to lose weight, make sure you're not making any of these five diet mistakes I’m about to share with you. Making even just one of them could get in the way of you losing fat, and instead cause you to gain weight! I’ve been working in the weight-loss world for four decades, and I’ve heard a lot of advice over the years. But some of the strategies you think are healthy are actually getting in the way of reaching your weight-loss goals. You may be tracking your data and avoiding certain foods—but are you tracking the right type of data? And are you making sure you’re getting enough of the one macronutrient that will have the biggest impact on your weight and body composition? Tune in and find out the top five mistakes I see people making over and over again, and maybe you’ll finally find your stumbling block if you’ve been doing all of the “right” things to lose weight, but are still struggling to reach your goals. Full show notes: jjvirgin.com/dietmistakes Use our protein calcul

If you’ve spent any time at all in the wellness world over the past decade, you’re familiar with mindbodygreen, the premier health and wellness website for articles, courses, certifications, and more. In this episode, I’m so excited to host the founders, Jason and Colleen Wachob—it’s also the first time I’ve had a couple on the podcast at the same time! Colleen and Jason have just released their new book, The Joy Of Well-Being: A Practical Guide to a Happy, Healthy, and Long Life, which challenges our definition of self-improvement by revealing what a healthy lifestyle looks like at the fundamental level—and how it’s not what you think. In our current health-influencer culture, we are bombarded with information about what we should be doing. But this information often focuses on the latest trends and assumes you have endless time and money to tackle every new health fad that comes your way. To top it off, the information you get is often conflicting. Colleen and Jason’s goal is to help you cut through the