#21: Why Millennial Workouts Are Backfiring in Perimenopause (With Dr. JJ Thomas, DPT)

Millennial moms were raised on one fitness message:More cardio.Eat less.Push harder.Sleep when you’re dead.And now?We’re herniating discs.Developing “meno belly.”Feeling exhausted.And wondering why the workouts that used to work… don’t anymore.In this episode of The Next Phase Podcast, I sit down with Dr. JJ Thomas, Doctor of Physical Therapy, to talk about what is actually happening inside our bodies in our late 30s and 40s — and why our old fitness mentality may be working against us.Dr. JJ has been a physical therapist for 26 years and specializes in helping women build strength for longevity, not just aesthetics. We talk about:What anabolic resistance is — and why it starts in our 30sWhy more cardio + less food can backfire in perimenopauseThe real reason protein matters (and how much you likely need)How muscle mass regulates hormonesWhy strength training is more powerful than you thinkWhy training patterns, not just muscles, changes everythingHow to think about sleep vs. workouts in midlifeThe difference between looking “in shape” and being structurally in shapeWhy taking care of your fitness is not selfish — it’s capacity-buildingIf you’ve ever felt like your body is betraying you… this episode will reframe that entirely.This isn’t about getting skinny.It’s about building a resilient, functional, hormonally-supported body that can carry you through the second half of your life.And because “just try harder” is no longer a strategy… I made you something.My free Cycle Syncing Map walks you through how to eat, train, and plan your energy around your hormones. Especially in perimenopause.It’s free. It’s practical. And it’ll change how you think about your body.Get it here: Cycle Syncing MapWant to learn more from Dr. JJ?Follow Dr. JJ on Instagram for exercise demos and education: 👉 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drjjphysicaltherapist(And if you sit at a desk all day long, learn how to do “Twisty Bear.” You’ll thank me.)Listen to the Dr. JJ Thomas Podcast: 👉 https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/dr-jj-thomas-podcast/id1554499031Check out the fitness app I do every morning here:👉 https://playbookapp.io/creators/dr-jj-thomas-primal-physical-therapy