In this episode, Alex and Meredith discuss cortisol, high-intensity interval training (HIIT), and its impact on women going through menopause. They explore common myths surrounding cortisol, including whether high-intensity exercise is beneficial or detrimental for menopausal women. They also discuss common fat distribution changes during menopause, metabolic flexibility, the differences in exercise adaptations between men and women, and whether cold plunges are as effective as some say.

— Live from the Semi-Finished Podcast Studio!

— No-Bra Workouts

— Cortisol and Menopause

— Debunking the Cortisol and Belly Fat Myth

— High Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) and Menopause

— The Benefits of Exercise for Postmenopausal Women

— Understanding Cortisol and Exercise

— Strength Training and Misconceptions

— The Truth About Cold Plunges

Resources Mentioned in This Episode:

· Listen to Afternoon Snack: Changing the Narrative on Menopause and Fitness with Selene Yeager

· Women & Cold Plunging - What No One Talks About | Mel Robbins

· High Intensity Interval Training on Body Composition in Women

· Effect of Diet With or Without Exercise on Abdominal Fat in Postmenopausal Women

· The Effects of Menstrual Cycle Phase on Exercise Performance in Eumenorrheic Women

· Estrogen reduces 11beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1 in liver and visceral, but not subcutaneous, adipose tissue in rats

· Self-Selected Resistance Exercise Load: Implications for Research and Prescription