How to Increase GLP-1 Naturally (Before Reaching for the Shot) with Stephanie Flores

What if the reason you can't stop eating, can't lose weight, and feel exhausted all the time isn't a willpower problem, it's that your body has stopped producing one of its most powerful metabolic hormones? Your body already makes GLP-1 naturally, and there's a good chance you can get it working again without a prescription. I sat down with Stephanie Flores to talk about what GLP-1 actually is, a hormone your body already makes in the gut, and why so many women are seeing diminished natural production without realizing it. Stephanie and I walk through the foundational strategies that support your body's own GLP-1 output: rebuilding the microbiome with fiber and fermented foods for gut health, protecting muscle with adequate protein and strength training for women over 40, and managing the cortisol load that quietly suppresses it all. We also address Ozempic constipation and other GI side effects head-on, explaining why people with pre-existing digestive issues need extra support, and what to actually do about it. Whether you're on a GLP-1 medication, considering it, or just trying to get your metabolism working better, this episode gives you a clear starting point. Stephanie Flores is a holistic nutrition therapist and health coach at Rooted & Radiant who specializes in helping women succeed on GLP-1 medications while protecting their muscle and metabolism. She works with clients to reduce side effects and build the kind of sustainable habits that produce results whether they're on the medication or not.   In This Episode, You'll Learn: - Why GLP-1 is a hormone your body already produces, and how the synthetic version differs from your natural one (11:30) - How Ozempic constipation and other GI symptoms happen, and why pre-existing slow digestion makes it worse (14:00) - What Akkermansia is, why it acts like a VIP in your gut lining, and how fermented foods for gut health help feed it (19:30) - How to increase GLP-1 naturally through fiber, protein, walks after meals, and stress reduction — before turning to medication (38:30) - Why eating at least 25 to 30 grams of protein at breakfast makes a measurable difference in cravings and energy (33:00) - How bloating causes signal a depleted microbiome, and why gradually increasing fiber is the right first move (39:00) - Why strength training for women over 40 is non-negotiable on a GLP-1, and what else to have in place to prevent muscle loss and rebound weight gain (45:00) Resources Mentioned: Stephanie Flores on Instagram: @stephaniefloreswellness Rooted & Radiant Coaching Services Overview: LINK HERE Health Foundations Assessment: https://foundations.primetonourish.com Connect & Support the Show: Subscribe to the podcast for upcoming episodes on nutrition, digestion, nervous system regulation, and circadian health. To begin identifying your own healing priorities, visit Prime To Nourish and take the Health Foundations Assessment.