Body Freedom with Michele Scarlet

I can usually tell whether a woman is going to succeed at losing weight before she's even lost a single pound. After nearly 20 years working with thousands of women in health, fitness, and functional medicine, I've noticed something interesting. The women who successfully lose weight and maintain their results tend to have three things in common. And no, it's not that they have more willpower, better genetics, or some secret weight loss strategy. It's how they behave when things get difficult. Think about it. How many times have you started a new diet, committed to a workout routine, or promised yourself that THIS time would be different? And then the scale stopped moving. Life got busy. Results weren't coming fast enough. Or someone on Instagram convinced you there was a better way. So you started over. Again. You can spend five years starting over without ever spending six months consistently doing something. In this solo episode of the Body Freedom Podcast, I'm breaking down the three traits I consistently see in women who achieve their weight loss goals: focus, patience, and frustration tolerance. We're also getting into the truth about calories in versus calories out, why weight loss after 40 can feel more complicated, and how hormones, cortisol, metabolism, gut health, and sleep can influence your results. Because sometimes your body needs more investigation. Sometimes your weight loss plan genuinely needs adjusting. And sometimes? You don't need another diet. You need to stop interrupting the one you're already following. This conversation might challenge you. But if you're tired of starting over and ready to become the woman who actually follows through, it's one you need to hear. WHAT YOU'LL LEARN IN THIS EPISODE The 3 traits I see in women who successfully lose weight and keep it off Why you keep starting over with diets, workouts, and weight loss programs Why calories in versus calories out is scientifically straightforward but not always easy to measure or manage How hormones, cortisol, blood sugar, gut health, stress, and metabolism can affect weight loss How to recognize when your weight loss plateau needs a physiological investigation versus a change in habits Why constantly chasing the next diet, supplement, or workout program can sabotage your progress The difference between patience and staying stuck with a plan that isn't working Why your response to a bad week reveals more than your motivation on a good week Why gaining two pounds on the scale doesn't necessarily mean you've gained body fat How to overcome obstacles instead of using them as reasons to quit Why long-term weight loss requires building skills, not just following rules How to become the version of yourself who's capable of achieving the results you want The question isn't just whether you want to lose weight. It's whether you're developing the habits and skills to follow through when the process gets uncomfortable. EPISODE CHAPTERS 00:00 The 3 Traits of Women Who Successfully Lose Weight 05:11 Calories In vs. Calories Out: Why Weight Loss Isn't Always Simple 10:52 Hormones, Metabolism, or Consistency: What's Really Stopping Your Weight Loss? 12:42 Focus: Why You Keep Starting Over With New Diets 15:00 Why the Next Weight Loss Strategy Always Looks Easier 18:13 Patience: How to Stay Consistent When Weight Loss Results Are Slow 22:35 Frustration Tolerance: What a Bad Week Reveals About Your Success 24:27 Weight Loss Plateaus: Why the Scale Doesn't Tell the Whole Story 25:52 How to Overcome Obstacles Instead of Abandoning Your Goals 27:47 The Habits and Mindset Behind Long-Term Weight Loss Success 31:13 Become Your Next-Level Self: The Daily Decisions That Change Everything 🎙️ I WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU! I have a question for you, and this time I don't want you to just think about the answer. I want you to tell me. What's something you KNOW you need to do to reach a goal, but you keep avoiding? Maybe it's losing weight. Maybe it's starting a business, having a difficult conversation, changing careers, or finally making yourself a priority. What's the goal? And what do you think is really getting in your way? Leave me a voice note. I want to hear your stories, your frustrations, and the things you're working toward. And who knows? I might bring your question or story into a future episode of Body Freedom. 🎤 LEAVE ME A VOICE NOTE HERE: https://www.speakpipe.com/MicheleScarlet 🔥 NEXT WEEK: MIDLIFE UNFILTERED IS HERE! Your group chat just got a microphone. I'm teaming up with Bria Gadd for something completely different, and I cannot wait for you to hear it. Welcome to Midlife Unfiltered, a nine-episode series about everything women are thinking, feeling, and talking about behind closed doors. We're getting into sex, relationships, motherhood, body image, weight loss, GLP-1s, boundaries, turning 40, and the absolute mindfuck of navigating midlife as a woman. No polished answers. No pretending we have it all figured out. Just two women having the conversations you'd normally hear over coffee or in your group chat. It's honest. It's hilarious. It's sometimes uncomfortable. And it's completely unfiltered. ALL 9 EPISODES OF SEASON ONE ARE DROPPING THROUGHOUT NOVEMBER! And here's the best part: you don't need to find a new podcast. Every episode will be released right here on the Body Freedom Podcast and on YouTube. 🎧 LISTEN TO THE OFFICIAL MIDLIFE UNFILTERED TRAILER AT THE END OF TODAY'S EPISODE! FOLLOW THE BODY FREEDOM PODCAST ON SPOTIFY OR APPLE PODCASTS NOW so you don't miss the launch. You're going to want to binge this one. 💗 LOVE THE BODY FREEDOM PODCAST? If this episode challenged the way you think about weight loss, consistency, or your own potential, send it to a girlfriend who needs to hear it. And if you haven't already, follow the show and leave an honest rating or review on Spotify or Apple Podcasts. It helps more women discover Body Freedom and join these conversations. Because body freedom isn't just about losing weight. It's about becoming the woman who's capable of creating the life and body she actually wants.

Eating less, exercising more, and STILL gaining weight? You're eating healthy. You're watching your calories. You're working out harder than ever. So why isn't the scale moving in the right direction? In this episode of the Body Freedom Podcast, Michele Scarlet sits down with hormone nutritionist and Functional Diagnostic Nutrition Practitioner Monika Eva to discuss stubborn weight gain, belly fat, hormone imbalances, exhaustion, and why eating less and exercising more isn't always the answer. Monika knows this frustration firsthand. After gaining 20 pounds despite eating healthy and exercising twice a day, she went to her doctor looking for answers. She was exhausted, struggling with her weight, and knew something wasn't right. Her doctor's advice? Eat less and exercise more. But she was already doing both. Monika eventually began investigating her hormone health, digestion, nutrition, and lifestyle. After changing her approach, she lost over 25 pounds without obsessive calorie counting, endless cardio, or spending hours in the gym. Together, Michele and Monika challenge the traditional calories-in, calories-out mentality and explain why successful, sustainable weight loss involves looking at more than just what you eat and how much you exercise. IN THIS EPISODE: Why am I gaining weight despite eating healthy and exercising? Can hormone imbalances, cortisol, and stress contribute to stubborn weight gain? What is holistic weight loss, and how is it different from traditional dieting? How Monika lost over 25 pounds without counting calories or doing endless cardio. Why tracking food can be helpful without becoming obsessive. How digestion, constipation, sleep, and nutrition may influence weight management. Why the scale can jump several pounds without actual fat gain. How water retention and menstrual cycles affect daily weight fluctuations. Are you really gaining muscle, or is something else contributing to your weight gain? The four foundational habits Michele recommends revisiting when weight loss stalls. One of the most important distinctions in this conversation is the difference between weight gain and fat gain. Gaining five pounds over a weekend doesn't necessarily mean you've gained five pounds of fat. Seeing the scale increase after a workout doesn't automatically mean you've gained muscle. And if you're consistently gaining weight despite eating well and exercising, simply telling yourself to work harder may mean overlooking other factors worth investigating. If you're a woman over 40 who's exhausted from dieting, exercising, and feeling like your body isn't responding, this episode is for you. Because your body deserves more than another calorie deficit. 🎙️ I WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU! What's something you've been doing to lose weight that simply isn't working anymore? Have you been told to eat less and exercise more, even though you're already doing everything you can? Leave me a quick voice message. Tell me your story, ask a question, or share what you wish someone would finally explain about weight loss after 40. 👉 https://www.speakpipe.com/msg/s/506539/1/3t7f9x0pzvrv0cid Your question might inspire a future episode of Body Freedom! 🍃 STRUGGLING WITH FOOD NOISE OR CONSTANT CRAVINGS? If you're constantly thinking about food, battling cravings, or fighting the urge to snack, more willpower isn't necessarily the answer. Crave Support by Just Ingredients is a supplement I recommend as part of a healthy nutrition and lifestyle routine. Get 10% off Crave Support here: 👉 https://justingredients.com/MICHELE10?q=crave-support Want more support with food noise and weight loss after 40? Grab my free Food Noise Guide, including practical strategies and a one-day meal plan. 👉 https://michelescarlet.com/foodnoise ⏱️ EPISODE CHAPTERS 00:00 Why Am I Gaining Weight Despite Dieting and Exercising? 00:49 Meet Monika Eva: Hormones, Nutrition & Weight Loss 02:49 Monika's Journey From Law to Holistic Health 04:35 Eating Less, Exercising More & Still Gaining Weight 07:06 Can You Have Hormone Problems in Your 20s? 09:25 Hormone Testing: Cortisol, Estrogen & Progesterone 11:33 How Monika Lost 25 Pounds Without Counting Calories 13:50 What Is Holistic Weight Loss & Why Does It Work? 16:16 Should You Track Calories and Macros to Lose Weight? 19:24 Holistic Weight Loss vs. Calories In, Calories Out 27:37 What to Do When You're Eating Healthy but Not Losing Weight 29:30 Inflammation, Water Retention & Sudden Weight Gain 30:10 Why Does My Weight Fluctuate So Much Day to Day? 34:09 Are You Really Gaining Muscle or Just Gaining Weight? 35:34 Is Unexplained Weight Gain a Symptom of Something Else? 39:29 What to Do Instead of Dieting Harder CONNECT WITH MONIKA EVA Weight Loss & Energy Blocker Assessment: https://www.monikaeva.com/whatsblockingyou   Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/monikaeeva The Balanced Body Podcast: Available on Spotify and Apple Podcasts. CONNECT WITH MICHELE SCARLET Michele Scarlet is a Functional Diagnostic Nutrition Practitioner, personal trainer, and host of the Body Freedom Podcast, helping women over 40 explore the factors behind stubborn weight gain, fatigue, digestive symptoms, and changing metabolic health. Website: https://michelescarlet.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/michelescarlet_/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@michelescarlet_ Enjoyed this episode? Follow the Body Freedom Podcast and share it with a woman who's tired of being told to eat less and exercise more.       Medical disclaimer: This episode is for educational purposes and includes personal experiences and practitioner opinions. Weight changes can have multiple causes, and some mechanisms discussed are simplified or not firmly established. Supplements are not substitutes for medical treatment. Consult a qualified healthcare professional for individualized advice.

You've been told your hormones are normal. Your thyroid is fine. The weight gain is just perimenopause. The exhaustion? That's what happens when you get older. But what if nobody is asking the right questions? In this episode of the Body Freedom Podcast, Michele Scarlet sits down with nurse practitioner Tammy O'Rourke, PhD, to tackle a controversial question: Are women's hormones finally being taken seriously, or have we found another way to sell women treatments? Tammy isn't just a hormone and thyroid prescriber. She's lived through stage 4 endometriosis, medically induced menopause, ovarian cancer, and what she describes as serious failures within the healthcare system. And she has some strong opinions about how women's health is being treated. We get into the uncomfortable conversations around perimenopause, hormone replacement therapy (HRT), thyroid medication, unexplained weight gain, and why so many women are still being told everything is normal when they feel anything but. IN THIS EPISODE: Why Tammy was prescribed birth control at just 13 years old. The woman who spent 30 years on Synthroid without having her T3 tested. Why some women still experience fatigue, bloating, insomnia and weight gain after starting HRT. Bioidentical vs. synthetic hormones: what's the difference, and what should you ask your provider? How thyroid health, insulin, iron levels and other health factors may contribute to persistent symptoms. Why debilitating periods are too often dismissed as a normal part of being a woman. Whether the growing hormone-treatment industry is helping women or creating new questions. This isn't a conversation about putting every woman over 40 on hormone therapy. It's about challenging assumptions, asking better questions, and understanding why a treatment that works for one woman may not work for another. Because getting older doesn't mean you should stop asking why you feel terrible. 🎙️ I WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU! Have you ever been told your weight gain, exhaustion, hormone symptoms, or something else was just a normal part of getting older? What's one symptom you've been told is normal that doesn't feel normal to you? Leave me a quick voice message by clicking the link below! I want to hear your story, your questions, and what you wish someone had taken seriously. 👉 https://www.speakpipe.com/msg/s/506539/1/3t7f9x0pzvrv0cid Your question or story might even inspire a future episode of Body Freedom!   ⏱️ EPISODE CHAPTERS 00:00 Are Women's Hormones Being Ignored or Overtreated? 01:47 Endometriosis, Ovarian Cancer & Tammy's Story 07:00 Why Women Are Still Struggling to Get Hormone Answers 09:48 Why Estrogen and Progesterone Aren't the Whole Story 14:26 Thyroid Medication, T3 Testing & Persistent Symptoms 18:17 Environmental Exposures and Hormone Health 19:19 Nutrition, Dairy & Inflammation 23:22 Food Marketing, Lobbying & Women's Health 24:32 Bioidentical vs. Synthetic Hormones: What's the Difference? 28:29 Why Some Women Still Feel Terrible on HRT 31:02 Menopause, Aging & Long-Term Health 34:38 Cholesterol, Estrogen & Heart Health 36:38 HRT Weight Gain: Why Did I Gain 15 Pounds? 41:13 Heavy Periods, Medical Dismissal & Better Care 🔗 CONNECT WITH MICHELE SCARLET Website: https://michelescarlet.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/michelescarlet_/ Subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@michelescarlet_ CONNECT WITH TAMMY O'ROURKE Happy Hormones Canada: https://happyhormonescanada.ca Book: Tammy Talks Hormones: Generationally Speaking Buy Its Now - https://amzn.to/47hYjGn 🎙️ Enjoyed this conversation? Subscribe to the Body Freedom Podcast and share this episode with a woman who's tired of being told her symptoms are just part of getting older. MEDICAL DISCLAIMER: This episode shares the guests' personal experiences and clinical opinions for educational purposes. Some views discussed are debated within medicine and should not be taken as established medical guidance. Hormone therapy, thyroid medication, screening and other treatments require individualized medical evaluation. Never start, stop or change prescribed treatment without consulting a qualified healthcare professional.  

Do mammograms actually save lives? And are some women being treated for breast cancers that would never have harmed them? After 17 years as a breast surgeon and surgical oncologist, Dr. Jenn Simmons began questioning everything she had been taught about breast cancer screening. In this provocative episode of the Body Freedom Podcast, Michele Scarlet and Dr. Simmons discuss why she changed her position on mammograms, the science of overdiagnosis, the risks of unnecessary treatment, and the difference between detecting cancer and saving lives. They also explore breast cancer risk, genetics versus metabolic health, GLP-1 medications, radiation exposure, biopsies, and emerging alternatives to conventional breast screening, including QT ultrasound and tear-based risk testing. This conversation challenges conventional thinking and gives women important questions to bring to their healthcare providers. 🎧 EPISODE CHAPTERS 00:00 — Do Mammograms Really Save Lives? 01:35 — Who Is Dr. Jenn Simmons? Former Breast Surgeon 02:06 — Why Dr. Jenn Simmons Left Conventional Breast Surgery 05:42 — Do Mammograms Reduce Breast Cancer Deaths? 09:31 — What Is Breast Cancer Overdiagnosis? 12:18 — How Do Immune Health and Toxins Affect Cancer Risk? 16:17 — Why Are More Young Women Getting Cancer? 17:27 — Is Breast Cancer Genetic or Metabolic? 20:14 — GLP-1 Medications, Weight Loss, and Breast Cancer Risk 25:06 — Muscle Mass, Bone Density, Sleep, and Cancer Prevention 27:32 — Can Mammograms or Breast Biopsies Spread Cancer? 28:05 — Does Mammogram Radiation Increase Breast Cancer Risk? 31:52 — Radiation Therapy: Risks and Long-Term Side Effects 34:12 — Does Breast Cancer Surgery Address the Root Cause? 36:29 — What Are the Alternatives to Mammograms? 39:51 — Screening Mammograms vs. Diagnostic Mammograms 42:40 — What Are the Risks and Benefits of Mammograms? 45:33 — New Breast Cancer Screening Tests: QT Scan and Tear Testing 50:03 — Are Breast Biopsies Always Necessary? 52:17 — Can Lifestyle Changes Reduce Breast Cancer Risk? 54:26 — What Should Women's Breast Cancer Prevention Look Like? 56:03 — Dr. Jenn Simmons: Book, Podcast, and Where to Find Her 🎁 FREE FOOD NOISE GUIDE Struggling with cravings, food noise, or stubborn weight after 40? Get my free Food Noise Guide with practical strategies to help you manage cravings and make weight loss feel less overwhelming. 👉 https://michelescarlet.com/foodnoise CONNECT WITH MICHELE SCARLET YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@michelescarlet_ Website: https://michelescarlet.com Instagram: @MicheleScarlet_ CONNECT WITH DR. JENN SIMMONS Website: https://perfectionimaging.com Book: The Smart Woman's Guide to Breast Cancer Podcast: Keeping A Breast with Dr. Jenn Instagram: @drjennsimmons MEDICAL DISCLAIMER This episode is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice. Dr. Simmons shares perspectives that differ from established breast cancer screening guidelines. Mammography is recommended by major medical organizations because evidence shows it can reduce breast cancer mortality, although screening also carries risks, including overdiagnosis. Some alternative screening methods discussed are not validated replacements for mammography. Consult your healthcare provider before making screening or treatment decisions.

What did growing up in early-2000s diet culture teach us about weight, food, exercise, and our bodies? And how much of it are we still carrying with us after 40? In this deeply personal episode of Body Freedom, Michele Scarlet looks back at more than 25 years of body image, weight loss, food rules, exercise, and the pressure to be thin. It starts in 1999, with one of the first comments Michele remembers someone making about her body. From there, she looks back at what it was like becoming a teenage girl in the early 2000s, when low-rise jeans were everywhere, cellulite and stretch marks were treated like problems to fix, food was “good” or “bad,” and being told you looked thin could feel like the ultimate compliment. But this conversation was triggered by something happening right now. After Michele posted a video about women’s bodies that reached more than 2.3 million views, she watched thousands of people debate, defend, criticize, and judge the women in the video. And then she had an uncomfortable realization: She was participating in it too. This episode explores how easily women can learn to see their bodies through other people’s eyes, and how those beliefs can follow us into adulthood, motherhood, our careers, and even the way we look at other women. Michele also shares her own history with eating less, exercising to “make up” for food, being praised for looking thin, and eventually feeling like her body was part of her credibility as a health and fitness professional. But this is NOT a conversation about giving up on weight loss, pretending appearance doesn’t matter, or believing you have to love every inch of your body. Michele still wants to be lean. She wants muscle. She likes feeling strong, athletic, healthy, and confident in how she looks. The difference? She stopped confusing her preferences with her worth. Because you can want to lose 20 pounds without hating yourself first. You can want stronger legs without believing your current body is wrong. You can care about how you look without making your appearance your value. And you can have body goals without allowing your body to become a full-time project. Body Freedom isn’t loving everything about your body. It’s knowing none of it determines your worth. CHAPTERS 00:00 What Does Body Freedom Actually Mean? 01:01 How Body Comments Shape Your Body Image 03:07 Why We’re Still Judging Women’s Bodies 06:57 How 2000s Diet Culture Changed Body Image 12:11 When Healthy Eating and Exercise Become Control 17:12 Can You Want Weight Loss and Still Love Your Body? 21:31 What Is Body Freedom? CAN’T STOP THINKING ABOUT FOOD? 👀 Before you decide you need more willpower, another diet, or that a GLP-1 is your only option, start here. I put together my FREE Food Noise Guide + 7-Day High-Protein Meal Plan for women over 40. 👉 GET THE FREE GUIDE + MEAL PLAN: https://michelescarlet.com/foodnoise Just want the supplement? Crave Support is the one supplement I keep coming back to for extra support around cravings, appetite and healthy blood sugar. Get 10% off through my link. No code needed. 👉 GET CRAVE SUPPORT 10% OFF: https://justingredients.com/MICHELE10 DISCLAIMER This podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease or medical condition. Nothing discussed in this episode should be considered medical advice or a substitute for individualized care from a qualified healthcare professional. Always speak with your healthcare provider before making changes to your diet, supplements, medications, exercise routine, or health plan.