You're Not Crazy! It's Perimenopause with Jenny Smith

Ep #17: Hydration and Hormones: What Every Woman in Perimenopause Needs to Know

Jenny Smith — Tue, 16 Jun 2026 12:00:00 GMT

Jenny dives into a topic that many women overlook, but can have a major impact on our overall health: hydration. She shares personal stories about both of her children experiencing serious dehydration that led to emergency room visits, highlighting how easy it is to underestimate the body's need for water. Jenny explains why hydration becomes even more important during perimenopause and menopause.

She also breaks down the signs of dehydration and discusses the role of electrolytes and minerals, offers practical tips for calculating daily water needs, and shares simple strategies to make hydration easier and more enjoyable. Whether you're struggling to drink enough water or simply want to feel your best, this episode provides easy, realistic ways to build hydration habits that support your energy, sleep, digestion, and overall well-being.

Favorite electrolytes:

Ultima - https://www.ultimareplenisher.com/

Redmond's Re-Lyte Hydration - https://redmond.life/products/re-lyte-hydration

Celtic Sea Salt - https://celticseasalt.com/

Just Ingredients- https://justingredients.us/collections/electrolytes

Download the Protein Fix Guide here: https://www.simplifiedlifestylecoaching.com/protein-fix

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Disclaimer: The content of this podcast is for informational and educational purposes only and is not intended to substitute professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. The host is not acting as your medical provider. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare professional regarding any medical condition or health-related decisions.

#16: What the Enneagram Reveals About Motivation, Habits, and Health with Angie Alchemist

Jenny Smith — Tue, 09 Jun 2026 12:00:00 GMT

In this episode, Jenny sits down with Enneagram coach Angie Alchemist to explore how the nine Enneagram personality types influence motivation, habits, self-care, people-pleasing, burnout, and the way women approach their health in midlife. Together, they unpack why the issue often isn't a lack of willpower at all, and why understanding yourself may be the missing piece.

Angie breaks down each Enneagram type's unique strengths, challenges, and hidden barriers to prioritizing health and well-being. From perfectionism and overwhelm to people-pleasing and fear of failure, this conversation offers a fresh perspective on why lasting change can feel so difficult. If you've ever wondered why you struggle to stay consistent, or why traditional health advice doesn't seem to stick, this episode may help you see yourself in a whole new light.

Angie’s Alchemist Website: https://www.angiealchemist.com/

Learn your Enneagram type with Angie’s Free Quiz: https://www.angiealchemist.com/EnneagramFreeQuiz

Listen to Angie's Podcast here: https://www.angiealchemist.com/podcasts/enneagram-ego-death/

Follow Angie on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/angie.alchemist/

Connect with Jenny here:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jennyaz_simple/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SimplifiedLifestyleCoaching

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jennyaz_simple

Learn more at https://www.simplifiedlifestylecoaching.com/

#15: The Unexpected Lesson I Learned at a Wellness Retreat

Jenny Smith — Tue, 02 Jun 2026 12:00:00 GMT

In this episode, Jenny shares her experience from a solo wellness retreat and how learning to slow down became one of the biggest lessons she took away from the experience.

She opens up about stress, emotional exhaustion, people-pleasing, and how many women are constantly stuck in “go mode” while ignoring what their bodies are trying to tell them. She explains why managing stress becomes even more important during perimenopause and menopause.

Jenny also talks about the connection between stress, hormones, pain, sleep, and overall well-being, while sharing simple ways women can begin calming their nervous system without needing a full retreat. This episode is a reminder that rest is productive, slowing down is necessary, and taking care of yourself is not selfish—it’s essential for aging well and feeling your best.

Download the Protein Fix Guide here: https://www.simplifiedlifestylecoaching.com/protein-fix

Connect with Jenny here:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jennyaz_simple/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SimplifiedLifestyleCoaching

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jennyaz_simple

Learn more at https://www.simplifiedlifestylecoaching.com/

#14: Why Cardio Alone Isn't Enough Anymore with Adelade LaFontaine

Jenny Smith — Tue, 26 May 2026 12:00:00 GMT

In this episode, Jenny sits down with certified personal trainer and women’s strength coach Adelade LaFontaine to talk about why strength training becomes even more important in our 40s and 50s. They discuss the biggest fitness mistakes women over 40 make, why cardio alone isn’t enough anymore, and how building muscle supports metabolism, hormones, bone health, energy, and longevity.

Adelade also shares simple ways to get started with strength training, even if you feel intimidated by the gym or only have 20 minutes a day. This conversation is practical, encouraging, and perfect for women who want to feel stronger, healthier, and more confident in their bodies.

Download the Protein Fix Guide here: https://www.simplifiedlifestylecoaching.com/protein-fix

Connect with Jenny here:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jennyaz_simple/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SimplifiedLifestyleCoaching

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jennyaz_simple

Learn more at https://www.simplifiedlifestylecoaching.com/

Follow Adelade on IG at https://www.instagram.com/agmhealthfitness/

Functional Movement Exercises on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@agmhealthfitness

Adelade Website: https://agmhealthfitness.com/home

#13: Intermittent Fasting for Women Over 40: Helpful or Harmful?

Jenny Smith — Tue, 19 May 2026 12:00:00 GMT

In this episode, Jenny breaks down the truth about intermittent fasting for women over 40. While fasting can be a powerful tool for weight loss, energy, and metabolic health, Jenny explains why it often feels different, and sometimes worse, during perimenopause.

She walks listeners through what intermittent fasting really is (and what it’s not), how it supports blood sugar balance and fat burning, and why so many women struggle when they jump into it too aggressively. Jenny also explains the role of stress, cortisol, and hormonal shifts in midlife, and how these can cause fasting to backfire if the body doesn’t feel safe.

Drawing from both personal experience and her work with clients, she shares a more supportive, “gentle fasting” approach, common mistakes to avoid, and simple ways to start incorporating fasting without disrupting hormones. This episode offers a balanced, realistic perspective to help women decide if intermittent fasting is right for their body, and how to do it in a way that actually works.

Download the Protein Fix Guide here: https://www.simplifiedlifestylecoaching.com/protein-fix

Hormone Reset Project Waitlist: https://www.simplifiedlifestylecoaching.com/hrp

Connect with Jenny here:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jennyaz_simple/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SimplifiedLifestyleCoaching

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jennyaz_simple

Learn more at https://www.simplifiedlifestylecoaching.com/

#12: Why You Feel So Tired in Perimenopause

Jenny Smith — Tue, 12 May 2026 12:00:00 GMT

In this episode, Jenny discusses why sleep can feel so much harder during perimenopause and why sleep is critical in this stage of life. She shares a personal story from one of the most difficult seasons of her life and how it opened her eyes to the serious impact sleep deprivation can have on mood, focus, decision-making, and overall health.

She also breaks down what happens during the different stages of sleep and why deep sleep and REM sleep are so important for hormone balance, metabolism, brain health, cravings, immunity, and emotional regulation. She explains in simple terms how fluctuating hormones, stress, cortisol, blood sugar dips, hot flashes, and nighttime anxiety can all disrupt sleep, then offers a few simple, realistic strategies women can start using to support better rest and feel more rested.

Download the Protein Fix Guide here: https://www.simplifiedlifestylecoaching.com/protein-fix

Hormone Reset Project Waitlist: https://www.simplifiedlifestylecoaching.com/hrp

Connect with Jenny here:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jennyaz_simple/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SimplifiedLifestyleCoaching

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jennyaz_simple

Learn more at https://www.simplifiedlifestylecoaching.com/

#11: What to Eat in Perimenopause (Without Restricting Food or Dieting)

Jenny Smith — Tue, 05 May 2026 12:00:00 GMT

In this episode, Jenny explores the often-overlooked connection between food, mood, and hormones in perimenopause. She shares how childhood conditioning, relationship with food, and long-held beliefs about food may be shaping the way women eat today.

She also introduces her simple Balanced Plate Method and explains how nourishing the body using this method can support more energy, calmer moods, and fewer cravings.

If you’ve ever felt confused about what to eat after 40 or stuck in the cycle of restriction and overwhelm, this episode offers a refreshing, practical approach to help you start feeling better in your body.

Download the Protein Fix Guide here: https://www.simplifiedlifestylecoaching.com/protein-fix

Connect with Jenny here:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jennyaz_simple/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SimplifiedLifestyleCoaching

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jennyaz_simple

Learn more at https://www.simplifiedlifestylecoaching.com/

#10: How I Fixed My Anxiety in Perimenopause (Without Medication)

Jenny Smith — Tue, 28 Apr 2026 12:00:00 GMT

In this episode, Jenny shares the moment everything changed for her: sitting in a doctor’s office, feeling anxious and overwhelmed, and being offered a quick solution that didn’t address her symptoms. If you’ve been feeling like something is off but can’t get real answers, this episode connects the dots between perimenopause symptoms, anxiety, and hormone imbalance.

She talks about how a functional medicine approach shifted everything, helping her understand the role of hormones, blood sugar, and lifestyle in how she was feeling. Instead of masking symptoms, she began supporting her body in a way that restored her energy, stabilized her mood, and helped her feel like herself again.

This episode offers a powerful reminder that with the right approach, it is possible to reduce anxiety, fatigue, and mood swings during perimenopause and start feeling better in your body again.

Download the Protein Fix Guide here: https://www.simplifiedlifestylecoaching.com/protein-fix

If you’re tired of feeling anxious, exhausted, and not like yourself, get on the Hormone Reset Project Waitlist: https://www.simplifiedlifestylecoaching.com/hrp

Connect with Jenny here:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jennyaz_simple/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SimplifiedLifestyleCoaching

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jennyaz_simple

Learn more at https://www.simplifiedlifestylecoaching.com/

#9: Is It Perimenopause… or Your Thyroid?

Jenny Smith — Tue, 21 Apr 2026 12:00:00 GMT

In this episode, Jenny shares a powerful personal story that reveals how easy it is to overlook what’s really going on in your body, especially when life feels stressful and overwhelming. What seemed like “normal” reactions to a difficult season turned out to be something much deeper, and it’s a story so many women will recognize in their own lives today.

She connects the dots between thyroid health and perimenopause, explaining why so many symptoms get dismissed or misattributed and why “normal” lab results don’t always mean everything is fine. If you’ve been feeling exhausted or not like yourself, this episode will open your eyes to what might be going on and help you start asking better questions so you can get to the bottom of your symptoms.

Download the Protein Fix Guide here: https://www.simplifiedlifestylecoaching.com/protein-fix

Connect with Jenny here:

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Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SimplifiedLifestyleCoaching

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jennyaz_simple

Learn more at https://www.simplifiedlifestylecoaching.com/

Function Health: https://www.functionhealth.com/

#8: Should You Test Your Hormones in Perimenopause?

Jenny Smith — Tue, 14 Apr 2026 12:00:00 GMT

In this episode, Jenny tackles a question so many women are asking: Should I have my hormones tested? She breaks down why the answer isn’t as simple as you might think, and why you don’t necessarily need labs to know you’re in perimenopause. She also shares when testing can be helpful, and why timing and context matter more than most women realize.

Jenny also uncovers what’s often missing from standard lab work and why so many women are told “everything is normal” when they don’t feel normal. She talks about key areas commonly overlooked and explains how to start advocating for your health so you can get real answers and support.

Download the Protein Fix Guide here: https://www.simplifiedlifestylecoaching.com/protein-fix

Connect with Jenny here:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jennyaz_simple/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SimplifiedLifestyleCoaching

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jennyaz_simple

Learn more at https://www.simplifiedlifestylecoaching.com/

IFM Find a Practitioner: https://help.ifm.org/find-a-practitioner

#7: Low Motivation, Low Energy, Low Drive? Testosterone Might Be Why

Jenny Smith — Tue, 07 Apr 2026 12:00:00 GMT

In this episode, Jenny breaks down the role of testosterone in women’s health and why this often-overlooked hormone matters during the menopause transition. She explains what testosterone does in the female body, including its impact on motivation, muscle strength, libido, confidence, and cognitive sharpness, and how symptoms can show up when levels are too low or too high.

Jenny also discusses common signs of hormonal imbalance, why testosterone therapy for women can be complicated, and why lifestyle should always be the first place to start. You’ll learn practical ways to naturally support healthy testosterone levels.

Download the Protein Fix Guide here: https://www.simplifiedlifestylecoaching.com/protein-fix

Connect with Jenny here:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jennyaz_simple/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SimplifiedLifestyleCoaching

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jennyaz_simple

Learn more at https://www.simplifiedlifestylecoaching.com/

#6: Estrogen: The Hormone Behind Your Mood, Energy and Metabolism

Jenny Smith — Tue, 31 Mar 2026 12:00:00 GMT

In this episode of You’re Not Crazy, It’s Perimenopause, we’re talking all about estrogen, your body’s primary growth and protection hormone, and what it looks like when it’s low, when it’s high, and when it’s balanced. If you’ve been dealing with anxiety, mood swings, brain fog, low energy, or just not feeling like yourself, this will help you understand what’s really going on during perimenopause.

Jenny walks you through the common symptoms of low estrogen as well as signs of high estrogen, and you’ll also learn what it actually feels like when estrogen is balanced.

By the end of the episode, you will be able to connect the dots between estrogen and progesterone and identify simple lifestyle habits that can support hormone balance, improve energy, and reduce perimenopause symptoms such as anxiety, fatigue, and weight gain.

Join the Meal Planning Challenge here: https://www.simplifiedlifestylecoaching.com/mpc

Download the Protein Fix Guide here: https://www.simplifiedlifestylecoaching.com/protein-fix

Connect with Jenny here:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jennyaz_simple/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SimplifiedLifestyleCoaching

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jennyaz_simple

Learn more at https://www.simplifiedlifestylecoaching.com/

#5: Progesterone: The Peacekeeper Hormone Gone Rogue

Jenny Smith — Tue, 24 Mar 2026 12:00:00 GMT

If you’re a woman over 40 dealing with anxiety, poor sleep, mood swings, or feeling constantly on edge, low progesterone during perimenopause could be the missing piece.

In this episode, Jenny breaks down what progesterone actually does in the body and why it’s often the first hormone to decline in perimenopause. You’ll learn the common symptoms of low progesterone (like anxiety, insomnia, and irritability), what high progesterone can feel like, and what balanced hormones should look like.

She also shares simple, functional medicine–based strategies to support progesterone naturally, including key nutrients, hormone-supportive foods, and daily habits to help stabilize blood sugar, improve sleep, and reduce stress.

Join the Meal Planning Challenge here: https://www.simplifiedlifestylecoaching.com/mpc

Download the Protein Fix Guide here: https://www.simplifiedlifestylecoaching.com/protein-fix

Connect with Jenny here:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jennyaz_simple/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SimplifiedLifestyleCoaching

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jennyaz_simple

Learn more at https://www.simplifiedlifestylecoaching.com/

#4: Why What Worked in Your 30s Isn’t Working Anymore

Jenny Smith — Tue, 17 Mar 2026 12:00:00 GMT

In this episode, Jenny explains why the strategies that worked in your 20s and 30s, like pushing through stress, skipping meals, or running on little sleep, often stop working in your 40s. As you enter perimenopause, fluctuating hormones such as progesterone, estrogen, and testosterone begin to affect your mood, sleep, stress tolerance, energy, and body composition.

Jenny breaks down what’s happening biologically during this transition and why you may suddenly feel more anxious, emotionally reactive, exhausted, or frustrated as your body changes. Most importantly, she reassures you that you’re not imagining these changes and that, with the right support and understanding, it’s possible to navigate perimenopause feeling better in your body and more in control of your health.

Download the Protein Fix Guide here: https://www.simplifiedlifestylecoaching.com/protein-fix

Connect with Jenny here:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jennyaz_simple/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SimplifiedLifestyleCoaching

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jennyaz_simple

Learn more at https://www.simplifiedlifestylecoaching.com/

#3: You're not crazy! It's your hormones

Jenny Smith — Tue, 10 Mar 2026 14:30:00 GMT

In this episode of You’re Not Crazy, It’s Perimenopause, Jenny Smith gets real about a topic many women feel ashamed to talk about: the sudden anger, irritability, and even moments of despair that can show up during the menopause transition. Jenny shares a personal story from a season marked by intense stress, disrupted relationships, and coping with alcohol, and how looking back helped her understand what was really happening beneath the surface.

She breaks down four key reasons emotions can feel bigger in perimenopause. You’ll also walk away with simple, practical tools you can apply right away to improve your mood and feel like yourself again.

Download the Protein Fix Guide here: https://www.simplifiedlifestylecoaching.com/protein-fix

Connect with Jenny here:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jennyaz_simple/

Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/SimplifiedLifestyleCoaching

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jennyaz_simple

Learn more at https://www.simplifiedlifestylecoaching.com/

#2: How do you know if you're in perimenopause?

Jenny Smith — Tue, 10 Mar 2026 14:15:00 GMT

Perimenopause can begin up to 10 years before menopause, yet many women don’t realize that’s what they’re experiencing. In this episode, Jenny explains what perimenopause really is, the hormonal shifts behind common symptoms, and how to recognize the early signs, from anxiety, poor sleep, and mood swings to cycle changes, fatigue, and weight gain.

Jenny also shares why stress becomes harder to manage during this phase and how supporting your body through simple lifestyle habits can make a powerful difference. You’ll learn where to start, including protecting sleep, nourishing your body with enough protein and fiber, and incorporating movement.

Download the Protein Fix Guide here: https://www.simplifiedlifestylecoaching.com/protein-fix

Connect with Jenny here:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jennyaz_simple/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SimplifiedLifestyleCoaching

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jennyaz_simple

Learn more at https://www.simplifiedlifestylecoaching.com/

#1: Anxiety or Hormones? My Wake-Up Call

Jenny Smith — Tue, 10 Mar 2026 14:00:00 GMT

In this first episode of You’re Not Crazy, It’s Perimenopause, Jenny shares her personal experience that led her to this work.

In her early 40s, she began feeling exhausted, anxious, and unlike herself, but no one could explain why. She was told to “eat better and exercise,” yet she knew something deeper was going on.

After being misdiagnosed and struggling for answers, Jenny discovered functional medicine, a whole-body approach focused on sleep, stress, nutrition, and lifestyle. As she made changes, her energy returned, she reversed prediabetes, lost weight, and began to feel like herself again.

That transformation sparked her mission: to help women understand what’s happening in their bodies during perimenopause and feel empowered, not dismissed, in midlife.

If you’ve ever thought, What is happening to me?, then this episode is for you.

Connect with Jenny here:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jennyaz_simple/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SimplifiedLifestyleCoaching

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jennyaz_simple

Learn more at https://www.simplifiedlifestylecoaching.com/

Trailer: You're Not Crazy! It's Perimenopause

Jenny Smith — Thu, 26 Feb 2026 21:34:28 GMT

Welcome to You’re Not Crazy, It’s Perimenopause — a real-talk podcast for women over 40 navigating anxiety, mood swings, stress, and the emotional and physical changes of perimenopause. Hosted by board-certified Functional Medicine Health Coach Jenny Smith, this podcast helps women understand their hormones and midlife health so they can start feeling like themselves again.

Each week, listeners gain simple, practical tools to support hormone balance, improve mood and energy, and navigate the menopause transition with greater calm, clarity, and confidence. Episodes include solo teachings and conversations with trusted experts, all focused on helping women thrive through perimenopause and beyond.

Subscribe so you don’t miss an episode. New episodes release weekly.