Not Your Mother's Menopause with Dr. Fiona Lovely | Perimenopause and Menopause Support

In this conversation, Dr. Fiona Lovely welcomes Shannon Hugman, a professional astrologer with fifteen years of experience, retreat host, and author of Dear Stardust and the Moon Cycles and Me Journal. Shannon shares her unlikely path into the work—she tried hard not to become an astrologer—and explains how a childhood game of guessing birthdays on the playground eventually led her back to her gifts. Together, they explore how astrology functions as art and storytelling rather than a rigid set of predictions, and why developing a personal relationship with the sky can be a powerful act of self-understanding. The conversation turns to the significance of rising signs, with Dr. Fiona discovering how her Aries ascendant fills in the gaps left by her Leo sun, and Shannon explains why the second Saturn return—arriving in a woman's late fifties to early sixties—represents a profound invitation to reclaim time, passion, and identity after decades of caring for others. Shannon also speaks to the remarkable current astrological shifts occurring collectively, with multiple outer planets changing signs, marking a genuine reset point in human history. She frames this as a shift from the archetype of the warrior to the pioneer—moving away from fighting to be heard and toward building something new. The episode closes with a moving discussion of ancestral trauma, the liberating choice to stop identifying with old wounds, and the invitation to set down what has been carried for generations. Episode Highlights: Why astrology is best approached as art, metaphor, and curiosity rather than fixed answers How understanding your rising sign can deepen self-knowledge beyond your sun sign The second Saturn return and what it means for women entering their wise years The collective planetary shifts of this era and what they signal about identity and fresh starts Why moving from warrior to pioneer may be the most important shift of our time The radical act of choosing not to carry ancestral pain into the next chapter If you have ever wondered whether the sky is speaking to you, this conversation may be the nudge you have been waiting for. Connect with Shannon Hugman Website: https://www.shannonhugman.com/  YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/ShannonHugman Thank you to our sponsors for this episode: 💙🌿BEAM Minerals to help with stress related depletion - this is your 2026 pro-health move!  Did you know that chronic stress can zap your energy and your minerals?  You FEEL better quickly, with this easy to take supplement - replenishing all lost minerals.  Give BEAM a try - beamminerals.com and use the code LOVELY for 20% off your first order! 🥗Women in perimenopause and menopause talk about wanting the same things — less bloating, no afternoon crash after eating, steady energy. MassZymes is perfect for helping your body's ability to actually process what you eat. MassZymes uses a full-spectrum blend of 18 enzymes. That means you're getting more out of the food you eat. Plus, it works across different stomach acid levels, which can really matter as we age. Go to bioptimizers.com/lovely and use code LOVELY to get 15% off your order! 🛌Support for Deeper Sleep with BIOptimizers > We talk a lot about hormone and nervous system balance, and quality sleep is foundational to both. Most supplements rely on just one cheap form of magnesium, but Magnesium Breakthrough includes all ten essential forms to truly nourish your nervous system and support deep, restful sleep.* BIOptimizers has spent over two decades in their own lab perfecting this blend. Get 15% off your order: Visit bioptimizers.com/lovely and use promo code LOVELY at checkout.  The Menopause Doula Council is opening its doors to the new cohort of the Menopause Doula Certification soon! Join us at our free 2-part masterclass!  (Register even if you can't make it as limited time recordings will be sent if you are registered.) 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.❤️ The Menopause Doula Council is opening its doors to the new cohort of the Menopause Doula Certification soon! Join us at our free 2-part masterclass!  (Register even if you can't make it!  Recordings will be sent to everyone registered!) Follow Dr. Lovely on IG and TikTok: @drfionalovely Follow the podcast on Facebook:  www.facebook.com/@notyourmothersmenopausepodcast Please sign up for our newsletter - Fiona's Friday Favourites!  This is where we make the first announcements, share course offerings, drop new episodes,  blog posts and the coveted 'Fiona's Favourites' column, etc.   drlovely.com You can also find some great resources there! Finally, a humble request:  If you love the podcast, please leave us a review!  It helps more people find useful info for a challenging time: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/not-your-mothers-menopause-with-dr-fiona-lovely/id1097326296  Please scroll to the bottom of the page to leave a review.  Thank you!  💕🤗 Partnerships by Category3 Media Group  

In this fascinating conversation, Dr. Fiona Lovely welcomes back Todd Shipman, a wellness entrepreneur and advocate for quantum technologies, to explore something that sounds like it belongs in a science fiction novel but is grounded in real physics: quantum entanglement. Todd explains how the 2022 Nobel Prize in Physics legitimized this field of research and how it's now being applied through a service called Quantum Upgrade—a digital platform that uses the quantum field to deliver supportive frequencies and quantum energy to the body, no physical device required. For women navigating perimenopause and menopause, this conversation matters more than it might first appear. Todd explains how non-native electromagnetic frequencies from cellphones, Wi-Fi routers, smart devices, and 5G towers place the body into a chronic fight-or-flight state, elevating cortisol, disrupting sleep, and reducing heart rate variability. When the nervous system is constantly on high alert, healing, digestion, and hormonal balance all take a back seat. Todd shares research showing that Quantum Upgrade can protect biomarkers from EMF exposure, increase ATP production by up to 29%, improve deep and REM sleep, and support faster wound healing. He also introduces the intensity scale based on David Hawkins' Map of Consciousness, explaining why starting at 500—unconditional love—is the safest and most supportive place for most people. Dr. Fiona shares her own experience of feeling warmth and tingling within minutes of activating her subscription. This episode invites listeners to stay curious to the world that we cannot see and consider a free trial to experience the difference for themselves. Tune in to discover how quantum energy may be the missing piece in your midlife wellness toolkit. Episode Highlights: What quantum entanglement is and why the 2022 Nobel Prize in Physics matters How EMFs from everyday devices push the body into fight-or-flight and disrupt sleep The science behind Quantum Upgrade's protective effects on HRV, cortisol, and ATP Why starting at 500 on the Map of Consciousness is the safest entry point How to use frequencies for sleep, focus, creativity, and inner peace throughout the day Dr. Fiona's personal experience feeling the energy within minutes If you've ever wondered why you feel drained after a day surrounded by technology, this episode offers a compelling explanation—and a potential solution.  For a 15 Day Free Trial (no need to enter a credit card to do the trial), go to https://quantumupgrade.io/lovely Connect with Todd: Instagram: @thatoddtodd In case you missed it, check out Dr. Lovely's BONUS episode that was released Sunday, November 1st.  She talks about how she came to train menopause doulas and the need for them in our world.  Then, register for our Free 2-Part Masterclass at menopausedoulacouncil.com/webinar to learn if this journey is for you!   Thank you to our sponsors for this episode: 💙If you're noticing fine lines, wrinkles, or sagging skin — thanks menopause —ugh, me too. Menopause can deplete your skin's collagen, speeding up aging. But here's the game-changer: Vitali Skincare has built its entire line on the power of GHK-Cu copper peptides — a proven ingredient that signals your skin's stem cells to produce new, healthy collagen. Head to vitaliskincare.com and use the code LOVELY at checkout for 20% off.   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.❤️ The Menopause Doula Council is opening its doors to the new cohort soon! Register for our FREE 2-Part Masterclass to get all the information about the program first! Follow Dr. Lovely on IG and TikTok: @drfionalovely Follow the podcast on Facebook:  www.facebook.com/@notyourmothersmenopausepodcast Please sign up for our newsletter - Fiona's Friday Favourites!  This is where we make the first announcements, share course offerings, drop new episodes,  blog posts and the coveted 'Fiona's Favourites' column, etc.   drlovely.com You can also find some great resources there! Finally, a humble request:  If you love the podcast, please leave us a review!  It helps more people find useful info for a challenging time: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/not-your-mothers-menopause-with-dr-fiona-lovely/id1097326296  Please scroll to the bottom of the page to leave a review.  Thank you!  💕🤗 Partnerships by Category3 Media Group  

In this special bonus episode, Dr. Fiona Lovely shares a personal story that changed the entire direction of her career and introduces a framework she believes every woman deserves to know about. She recounts a moment from her very first month of practice, when a woman in her forties came in for low back pain but left having been truly heard for the first time. That patient was exhausted, sleep-deprived, experiencing hot flashes, and felt like a stranger in her own body. Her doctor had dismissed it all as lingering postpartum and breastfeeding changes—case closed. Dr. Fiona recognized what was actually happening: this woman's hormones were beginning to shift on the way toward menopause. She validated her, educated her, and told her she was going to be okay. That encounter set Dr. Lovely on a mission to ensure no woman would go unheard again, and it ultimately led to the creation of the Menopause Doula Matrix—a comprehensive framework built around eight essential pillars of midlife health. This episode explores why perimenopause is not a brief hormonal hiccup but a brain and body renovation that can stretch across two decades, and why the conventional medical system still leaves so many women without proper guidance.  Dr. Fiona also celebrates the graduation of her first cohort of certified menopause doulas and invites listeners to consider whether this path of service might be calling to them.  Because no woman should have to navigate this transition alone. To learn more and register for our free 2-part Masterclass series go to menopausedoulacouncil.com/webinar   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.❤️ Follow Dr. Lovely on IG and TikTok: @drfionalovely Follow the podcast on Facebook:  www.facebook.com/@notyourmothersmenopausepodcast Please sign up for our newsletter - Fiona's Friday Favourites!  This is where we make the first announcements, share course offerings, drop new episodes,  blog posts and the coveted 'Fiona's Favourites' column, etc.   drlovely.com You can also find some great resources there! Finally, a humble request:  If you love the podcast, please leave us a review!  It helps more people find useful info for a challenging time: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/not-your-mothers-menopause-with-dr-fiona-lovely/id1097326296  Please scroll to the bottom of the page to leave a review.  Thank you!  💕🤗 Partnerships by Category3 Media Group  

In this illuminating conversation, Dr. Fiona Lovely welcomes David Roberts, co-founder of Mara Labs, to unpack one of the most confusing topics in wellness: detoxification. David's journey into this work is deeply personal. After his late wife Mara was diagnosed with stage II breast cancer in 2012, he partnered with Johns Hopkins-trained researcher Dr. John Gildea to investigate natural compounds that could support her health. What emerged from that research was sulforaphane, a molecule found in broccoli that would become the foundation of a major breakthrough—the first naturally stabilized, bioavailable sulforaphane supplement, and the first to demonstrate mobilization of microplastics in the body. David explains the three phases of liver detoxification with remarkable clarity, and why so many detox programs leave people feeling worse. Many products stimulate phase one—making toxins more toxic—without supporting the phases that actually move them out of the body. Sulforaphane works across all three phases, slowing phase one while accelerating phase two and supporting elimination, which is why it doesn't produce the dreaded "detox flu." The conversation also explores the alarming ubiquity of microplastics, how they act as Trojan horses carrying BPA, phthalates, and heavy metals into our cells, and what practical steps women can take to reduce their exposure—from HEPA filters and reverse osmosis water to ditching plastic food containers and shiny tea bags. This episode is essential listening for any woman concerned about estrogen metabolism, inflammation, brain health, and long-term vitality. Episode Highlights: The three phases of detoxification and why most detox programs get it wrong How sulforaphane supports all three phases without causing "detox flu" Why DIM only addresses one phase—and what sulforaphane does differently The role of sulforaphane in priming detox pathways before starting HRT How microplastics carry toxins into cells and why they're so hard to eliminate Practical steps to reduce microplastic exposure at home and while traveling The connection between sulforaphane, BDNF, and brain health Why sulforaphane may help mobilize microplastics for excretion If you've ever felt worse after a detox—or wondered whether any of it actually works—this conversation will change everything you thought you knew. Connect with David: Website: https://mara-labs.com/ Instagram: @themaralabs Thank you to our sponsors for this episode: 💤Support for Deeper Sleep with BIOptimizers > We talk a lot about hormone and nervous system balance, and quality sleep is foundational to both. Most supplements rely on just one cheap form of magnesium, but Magnesium Breakthrough includes all seven essential forms to truly nourish your nervous system and support deep, restful sleep.* BIOptimizers has spent over two decades in their own lab perfecting this blend. Get 15% off your order: Visit bioptimizers.com/lovely and use promo code LOVELY at checkout. 🛌 🌹Join us for the Way of the Menopause Doula webinar coming up on November 13th at 10am MDT.  We are entering a whole new era of supporting women through the menopause transition.  I can't wait to see you there!  Get on the list right here:  https://menopausedoulacouncil.com 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.❤️ The Menopause Doula Council is opening its doors to the new cohort soon!  Join our Waitlist to get all the information about the program first! Follow Dr. Lovely on IG and TikTok: @drfionalovely Follow the podcast on Facebook:  www.facebook.com/@notyourmothersmenopausepodcast Please sign up for our newsletter - Fiona's Friday Favourites!  This is where we make the first announcements, share course offerings, drop new episodes,  blog posts and the coveted 'Fiona's Favourites' column, etc.   drlovely.com You can also find some great resources there! Finally, a humble request:  If you love the podcast, please leave us a review!  It helps more people find useful info for a challenging time: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/not-your-mothers-menopause-with-dr-fiona-lovely/id1097326296  Please scroll to the bottom of the page to leave a review.  Thank you!  💕🤗 Partnerships by Category3 Media Group  

In this liberating conversation, Dr. Fiona Lovely welcomes back Lisa Kilgour, a Registered Holistic Nutritionist, speaker, and faculty member at the Canadian School of Natural Nutrition, for a discussion that challenges everything women have been taught about food, bodies, and aging. Lisa opens with a provocative idea: the return of the "skinny aesthetic" happens precisely when women become too powerful, and choosing to be well-fed, well-rested, and well-nourished is itself a political statement. Together, they unpack why so many women in midlife have no idea what it means to be truly fed—confusing the bare minimum with genuine nourishment—and how that gap shows up as low energy, poor sleep, and the evening craving monster. Lisa explains why the protein craze has gone too far, why undereating carbohydrates raises cortisol and disrupts sleep, and why the number on the scale should never come at the expense of muscle and bone. She shares her powerful "grown-ass woman body" philosophy, the story of the half-eaten brownie that marked a client's freedom from food rules, and practical, unfussy strategies for making breakfast and lunch the anchors of a well-nourished day. Listeners will also hear why cravings are not a willpower failure but a language to be learned. Tune in for a conversation that will change how you think about your body, your plate, and your worth. Episode Highlights: Why the "well-fed" feeling most women know is actually just survival How undereating carbs raises cortisol and sabotages sleep in perimenopause Why eating protein early in the day quiets cravings and supports energy The truth about BMI charts and chasing a teenage body in midlife Practical, low-effort meal strategies for women who are tired of cooking Why cravings are a signal to listen to, not a battle to win If you have ever felt like food is a constant negotiation, this episode is your invitation to put down the reins and finally be fed. You can find more about Lisa at lisakilgour.com, and her book Undieting is available wherever books are sold.  Connect with Lisa: Instagram: @lisa.kilgour.nutritionist Facebook: Lisa Kilgour Nutritionist TikTok: @lisakilgournutrition    Thank you to our sponsors for this episode: 💧If you're noticing fine lines, wrinkles, or sagging skin — thanks menopause —ugh, me too. Menopause can deplete your skin's collagen, speeding up aging. But here's the game-changer: Vitali Skincare has built its entire line on the power of GHK-Cu copper peptides — a proven ingredient that signals your skin's stem cells to produce new, healthy collagen. Head to vitaliskincare.com and use the code LOVELY at checkout for 20% off. Be sure to check out the Vita exosome serum for less saggy, dull skin. 💙 ⚡️Perimenopause and menopause can leave your brain and nervous system working overtime.  🫩 Quantum Upgrade is a 24/7 streaming energy service designed to support sleep, emotional balance, focus, and recovery.  A recent 256-channel EEG study showed an 80% reduction in stress-related brain activity and a 13x increase in important alpha activity in the limbic system. Feel energized right away!  Choose from 30+ frequencies, including Brain Support, Calm & Rest, and H.E.A.L.360™ Advanced.  Backed by 15+ placebo-controlled studies.  Try it free for 15 days—no credit card required—at quantumupgrade.io/lovely  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.❤️ The Menopause Doula Council is opening its doors to the new cohort soon!  Join our Waitlist to get all the information about the program first! Follow Dr. Lovely on IG and TikTok: @drfionalovely Follow the podcast on Facebook:  www.facebook.com/@notyourmothersmenopausepodcast Please sign up for our newsletter - Fiona's Friday Favourites!  This is where we make the first announcements, share course offerings, drop new episodes,  blog posts and the coveted 'Fiona's Favourites' column, etc.   drlovely.com You can also find some great resources there! Finally, a humble request:  If you love the podcast, please leave us a review!  It helps more people find useful info for a challenging time: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/not-your-mothers-menopause-with-dr-fiona-lovely/id1097326296  Please scroll to the bottom of the page to leave a review.  Thank you!  💕🤗 Partnerships by Category3 Media Group