More Than Weight Loss: How GLP-1s Transform Women’s Health

Hello Warriors!

This week’s episode of The Suburban Warrior Podcast is one you’ll want to replay—and share. I sat down with Jessica Brown, Stanford-certified compassion educator, functional medicine clinical nutritionist, and bestselling author of The Loving Diet and Beyond the Shot. For more than 25 years, Jessica has been helping people heal both physically and emotionally, bridging the gap between medical science and self-compassion.

In this powerhouse conversation, Jessica takes us beyond the hype of GLP-1 medications (think Ozempic, Wegovy, and compounded semaglutide) to explore what few are talking about: how they fit into women’s midlife health, emotional wellbeing, and self-acceptance journey. Her message is clear: these medications aren’t just about weight loss—they’re a tool for cardiovascular protection, cognitive clarity, and emotional healing when used responsibly and with a supportive team.

Jessica’s approach is revolutionary because it’s whole health—not just body composition, but mindset, metabolism, and meaning. From her own twin-driven experiment with GLP-1s to her cutting-edge research on compassion and disordered eating, she’s rewriting what it means to thrive in perimenopause and menopause. As she says, “Anytime we vote for ourselves, we change the entire trajectory of our health.”

The Power List: 7 Things We Learned from Jessica Brown

1. GLP-1s Are Whole-Health Tools—Not Just Weight-Loss Shots
Forget the headlines. Jessica says GLP-1s are “the next big conversation” in women’s health because they improve heart, liver, and brain function. Studies show a 13% drop in major cardiovascular events and up to 50% lower dementia risk even in non-diabetics.

2. Visceral Fat Is the Real Villain of Midlife
That stubborn “meno belly”? It’s not vanity—it’s metabolic risk. GLP-1s help reduce visceral fat, the deep abdominal fat that drives inflammation, heart disease, and insulin resistance in menopausal women.

3. Food Noise Is Real—And It’s Exhausting
For the first time in decades, Jessica says her mind went quiet. “I stopped waking up thinking about food,” she recalls. GLP-1s quiet the brain’s hunger loops, freeing mental space to focus on living—not dieting.

4. Emotional Eating Isn’t a Character Flaw
Jessica calls food “a short-term buffer for pain.” Through self-compassion and mindset work, we can learn to face emotional wounds directly instead of using food to numb them. Her advice: “Thank food for helping you survive—and then trust your heart to take over the job.”

5. Muscle Is Medicine
GLP-1s work best when paired with movement and nutrition. Menopausal women naturally lose muscle, so Jessica insists on a DEXA scan before starting any protocol and strength training as non-negotiable.

6. Healing Requires a Team
These medications aren’t DIY. Jessica urges women to “build your team”—doctors, nutritionists, and emotional coaches who monitor labs, guide nutrition, and support mindset shifts. “You wouldn’t treat heart disease without a team,” she says. “Don’t do this alone.”

7. Beyond the Shot Lies the Soul Work
Jessica’s new book, Beyond the Shot, explores what happens when the “food noise” stops and clarity begins. It’s about rewriting the “struggle story” we’ve told ourselves for years and replacing it with compassion, confidence, and worthiness. “This is your time to stop running from your story,” she says, “and start rewriting it with love.”work with anti-inflammatory nutrition and a sane fasting window for compounding returns.

Jessica Brown’s new book, Beyond the Shot, is available now on Amazon, Audible, and Spotify.

If this episode resonated, share it with a friend who’s ready to reclaim her health—and her heart. Because as Jessica reminds us, the real transformation starts when we choose ourselves.

Ready to go from Confusion to Clarity?

Feeling stuck, confused, or a little gaslit by the “it’s just aging” shrug? Let’s change that—book a free holistic health consult with Crissy. Crissy’s a holistic health coach with real-world medical experience who blends science-backed therapies with natural, doable habits so you can feel like yourself again. After her own 10-year battle with perimenopause, she’s made it her mission to ensure no woman has to suffer in silence. In your consult, you’ll get a judgment-free space, clear next steps, and tools you can use right away. If you’re ready to move from survival to thriving, reach out—Crissy’s got you.

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FDA Commissioner Dr. Marty Makary tells CBS News' @Norah O’Donnell that removing the “black box” warning from estrogen products marks a ma... See more

BREAKING NEWS: The FDA just made a major move for women’s health

Big news for women’s health — the Food & Drug Administration (FDA) is officially dropping the “black box” warning that’s been on hormone therapies used for menopause symptoms (pills, patches, creams) for over two decades.

Here’s what you need to know:
• The black-box warning flagged serious risks like stroke, heart attack, dementia and breast cancer — based on older data.
• New evidence shows when hormone therapy is started earlier (before age 60 or within 10 years of menopause onset), risks are much lower.
• The change means more women may feel confident talking with their doctors about hormone-treatment options without fear of the old label being the blocker.
• Important caveats: The FDA still keeps warnings around specific risks (for example estrogen-alone products and endometrial cancer). And this isn’t a blanket “safe for everyone” stamp — it’s about individualised care.
• The decision also reflects a broader shift in menopause care — acknowledging symptoms aren’t “just something to live through” but can be actively managed.

Why this matters:
For years many women avoided hormone therapy because the warning made both patients and doctors wary. This update could reduce that barrier and open the door for better symptom relief (hot flashes, night sweats, sleep issues, bone health) for lots of women.

If you’re going through menopause or caring for someone who is — schedule a free holistic health consult with me (above) or download the From ‘Pause to Power Roadmap (below) to ensure you’re asking the right questions and having the right conversation with your healthcare provider.

Ready to Reclaim Your Health in Midlife?

Reclaiming your health in midlife isn’t just possible—it’s powerful. Whether you’re feeling out of balance, run down, or simply not like yourself, this is your moment to take charge. The From ‘Pause to Power Roadmap is your free, practical guide to navigating perimenopause with clarity, confidence, and zero shame. Download it now and take the first step toward feeling stronger, more energized, and unapologetically you—redefining midlife wellness with grit and grace!

Ready to Warrior Up!

Listen to the Full Episode: Suburban Warrior podcast on Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts.

Thank you for reading—and remember, knowledge is power! If you’re experiencing symptoms, don’t ignore them. There is help (and hope) out there. Stay tuned for our next newsletter to keep transforming your mindset and rocking your inner warrior!