Am I Already in Perimenopause? One Woman's Honest Story

Welcome back to Menopause Unmuted, the podcast where we have honest conversations about perimenopause, menopause, and beyond. This is a space where science, personal stories, and practical solutions come together so women can feel informed, supported, and never alone in this transition. I'm your host, Dr. Erika Pimentel, menopause coaching specialist, personal trainer, nutrition educator — and a woman who has been right where you are.Today's episode is one that feels very personal to me because my guest is someone I actually worked out with. Stephanie is a dear friend, a workout buddy, and the owner of Golden Travel — a travel company built around a true passion for helping people explore the world stress-free. But what I love about Stephanie is that she came into strength training with zero background in it, and watching her discover what her body was actually capable of was one of those moments that reminds me exactly why I do this work.In today's conversation, we are talking about something that doesn't get enough attention — what it looks like to be at the edge of perimenopause when you're not sure it's even started yet. Stephanie lives with PCOS, which adds a whole other layer to the hormonal picture, and we get into how PCOS and perimenopause intersect, why strength training is one of the most powerful tools women can use to support insulin sensitivity, and what it actually feels like to navigate all of this when the information out there is confusing and contradictory.Because the more informed you are going into this transition, the less alone — and the less blindsided — you're going to feel. Let's dive in.