Far From Perfect with Kylie Larson

In this episode of Far From Perfect, I sit down with functional diagnostic nutrition practitioner Lainey Gray to talk about something so many women feel but can’t quite name: midlife isn’t the problem—the lack of information is.

Lainey shares her journey from personal trainer to functional nutrition expert and breaks down why understanding your hormones, stress load, and nutritional needs is the key to finally feeling like yourself again. We dive into the power of comprehensive testing, simple lifestyle shifts that actually matter, the role HRT can play, and why advocating for your own health is non-negotiable in perimenopause and menopause.

If you’ve ever walked out of a doctor’s office feeling dismissed…
If you’ve ever been told “that’s just aging”…
If you’ve ever thought, “something feels off, but I can’t get answers”…

This conversation will feel like a giant exhale.

Midlife doesn’t have to feel confusing, chaotic, or out of control. Once you have the right information, you can rebuild your energy, your joy, and your confidence—one empowered decision at a time.

In this episode, I share why I decided to start logging my food again after a long stretch in maintenance. Not from a place of restriction — but awareness.

I talk about noticing shifts in my training motivation, how consistent eating affects my energy levels, and why tracking macros is less about perfection and more about curiosity.

I also touch on the role of self-monitoring, small healthy habits, and even how sleep and “fun” fit into the bigger wellness picture.

If you’ve been feeling a little off or wondering where your energy’s going, try logging your food for a few days — you might be surprised by what you learn. And if you need a little guidance, I’m here to help.

In this episode, I break down one of the trickiest parts of a fat loss phase—knowing when it’s time to call it. We talk about how to use biofeedback (energy, hunger, mood, sleep, and life stress) to guide your decisions instead of just relying on the scale. I also share why shifting goals means your nutrition needs to shift, too—and how consistency with tracking helps you see the full picture. If you’ve ever wondered, “Should I keep going or move into maintenance?”—this episode’s for you.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Fat Loss Phases

01:28 Understanding When to End a Fat Loss Phase

03:21 Biofeedback: Key Indicators for Ending a Phase

07:09 The Role of Hunger and Energy Levels

12:20 Life Circumstances and Their Impact on Fat Loss

16:11 Changing Goals and Their Nutritional Needs

18:33 Consistency and Macro Tracking

We’re not broken—we’re just overwhelmed.
Ali Damron and I explore how to quiet the noise, feel safe in your body, and start leading with acceptance instead of control.

In this episode, Ali Damron and I unpack the difference between what you think you need and what you actually need when it comes to health, wellness, and feeling like yourself again.

We talk about the endless noise out there—how easy it is to chase the next fix—and why the real work often looks less like control and more like compassion.

We also dig into what it means to feel safe in your body, how lifestyle choices play a bigger role than most people realize, and why acceptance isn’t giving up—it’s where real change begins.

Our conversation was inspired by what we are seeing in ourselves, with clients and the collective as a whole.