<p>In this vulnerable and unfiltered episode, I sit down with my mom to talk about something many women go through, but few talk about openly: midlife weight gain, hormonal changes, and starting a GLP-1. After gaining 55 pounds with no major lifestyle changes and struggling with symptoms like fatigue, hot flashes, anxiety, and loss of muscle, my mom found herself at a health crossroads. We walk through the emotional and physical toll this took, her experience going off hormone replacement therapy (HRT), and what finally led her to try tirzepatide (a GLP-1 medication similar to Ozempic).</p> <p><br></p> <p>This episode isn’t just about weight loss, it’s about reclaiming your life, making empowered health choices, and what happens when you start advocating for your own wellness. We also talk anxiety, alcohol, sleep, family dynamics, and yes, why my mom is already seeing mental clarity within days of her first dose.</p> <p>If your mom (or you!) is silently dealing with hormone chaos, frustrating weight gain, or health confusion, this episode will make you feel seen, supported, and informed.</p> <p><br></p> <p><strong>00:00</strong> Life updates, small talk &amp; avocado toast inflation</p> <p><strong>04:00</strong> My mom’s health scare &amp; going off HRT</p> <p><strong>07:00</strong> Symptoms spiral after stopping hormone therapy</p> <p><strong>10:00</strong> Shocking lab results: cholesterol, blood sugar &amp; hormone crash</p> <p><strong>12:00</strong> The decision to start tirzepatide (Ozempic-like medication)</p> <p><strong>15:00</strong> What happened after her first dose (mental clarity, food noise, no cravings)</p> <p><strong>18:00</strong> My evolving opinion on Ozempic</p> <p><strong>20:00</strong> Women’s hormones are misunderstood—here’s what we’ve learned</p> <p><strong>24:00</strong> Monitoring with InBody scans, strength training, and muscle preservation</p> <p><strong>27:00</strong> Our honest feelings on weight, lifestyle changes &amp; identity</p> <p><strong>33:00</strong> Why I might never drink alcohol again (full breakdown)</p> <p><strong>44:00</strong> 10 facts that made me rethink alcohol for good</p> <p><strong>48:00</strong> Newsletter updates &amp; book recs from my mom</p> <p><strong>54:00</strong> What we’re reading this summer</p> <p><strong>56:00</strong> Travel talk &amp; life reflections</p> <p><strong>59:00</strong> Wrapping up + dinner’s ready!</p> <p><br></p> <p>Karen’s Kindle Newsletter Signup: <a 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href="https://nam04.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fpodcasts.apple.com%2Fgr%2Fpodcast%2Fmanifest-with-tori-desimone%2Fid1462579812&amp;data=05%7C02%7CEric.Jackowitz%40studio71us.com%7Cfcce05f85a3d4171772408ddc2706a28%7C42f71e00fe2746549915ab529795f091%7C0%7C0%7C638880510274309697%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&amp;sdata=HntVgfKDtIJoj%2FwEZPKmACRwL8igw5i8mtKGA%2BHqDfI%3D&amp;reserved=0">https://podcasts.apple.com/gr/podcast/manifest-with-tori-desimone/id1462579812</a>  </p> <p><br></p> <p>Listen to Manifest with Tori DeSimone on Spotify and rate 5 Stars! <a href="https://nam04.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fopen.spotify.com%2Fshow%2F5Efqq0renJcUzsdBN9jfoH%3Fsi%3D215a699dff1e4871&amp;data=05%7C02%7CEric.Jackowitz%40studio71us.com%7Cfcce05f85a3d4171772408ddc2706a28%7C42f71e00fe2746549915ab529795f091%7C0%7C0%7C638880510274325196%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&amp;sdata=jhcLOvkwLtSdfBXm6w5%2FhUEv1iOgCSgziiUJZr3ZKvk%3D&amp;reserved=0">https://open.spotify.com/show/5Efqq0renJcUzsdBN9jfoH?si=215a699dff1e4871</a></p> <p><br></p> <p><br></p> <p><strong>Topics Discussed:</strong></p> <ul> <li>Midlife weight gain despite healthy habits</li> <li>The importance of hormone testing and personalized care</li> <li>HRT (hormone replacement therapy) pros and cons</li> <li>Starting GLP-1 medications (tirzepatide/Ozempic)</li> <li>Mental relief from food noise and obsessive thoughts</li> <li>Female brain + heart health in menopause</li> <li>Family support through health challenges</li> <li>Alcohol and anxiety: real talk</li> <li>Journaling through newsletters</li> <li>Book recs &amp; fun family updates</li> </ul><p> </p><p>Learn more about your ad choices. Visit <a href="https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices">podcastchoices.com/adchoices</a></p>