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

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-fixConnect with Jenny here: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jennyaz_simple/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SimplifiedLifestyleCoachingTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jennyaz_simpleLearn more at https://www.simplifiedlifestylecoaching.com/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.

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-fixIf you’re tired of feeling anxious, exhausted, and not like yourself, get on the Hormone Reset Project Waitlist: https://www.simplifiedlifestylecoaching.com/hrpConnect with Jenny here: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jennyaz_simple/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SimplifiedLifestyleCoachingTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jennyaz_simpleLearn more at https://www.simplifiedlifestylecoaching.com/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.

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-fixConnect with Jenny here: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jennyaz_simple/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SimplifiedLifestyleCoachingTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jennyaz_simpleLearn more at https://www.simplifiedlifestylecoaching.com/Function Health: https://www.functionhealth.com/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.

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-fixConnect with Jenny here: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jennyaz_simple/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SimplifiedLifestyleCoachingTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jennyaz_simpleLearn more at https://www.simplifiedlifestylecoaching.com/IFM Find a Practitioner: https://help.ifm.org/find-a-practitionerDisclaimer: 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.

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-fixConnect with Jenny here: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jennyaz_simple/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SimplifiedLifestyleCoachingTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jennyaz_simpleLearn more at https://www.simplifiedlifestylecoaching.com/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.

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/mpcDownload the Protein Fix Guide here: https://www.simplifiedlifestylecoaching.com/protein-fixConnect with Jenny here: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jennyaz_simple/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SimplifiedLifestyleCoachingTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jennyaz_simpleLearn more at https://www.simplifiedlifestylecoaching.com/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.

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/mpcDownload the Protein Fix Guide here: https://www.simplifiedlifestylecoaching.com/protein-fixConnect with Jenny here: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jennyaz_simple/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SimplifiedLifestyleCoachingTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jennyaz_simpleLearn more at https://www.simplifiedlifestylecoaching.com/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.

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-fixConnect with Jenny here: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jennyaz_simple/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SimplifiedLifestyleCoachingTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jennyaz_simpleLearn more at https://www.simplifiedlifestylecoaching.com/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.

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-fixConnect with Jenny here: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jennyaz_simple/Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/SimplifiedLifestyleCoachingTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jennyaz_simpleLearn more at https://www.simplifiedlifestylecoaching.com/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.

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-fixConnect with Jenny here: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jennyaz_simple/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SimplifiedLifestyleCoachingTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jennyaz_simpleLearn more at https://www.simplifiedlifestylecoaching.com/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.

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/SimplifiedLifestyleCoachingTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jennyaz_simpleLearn more at https://www.simplifiedlifestylecoaching.com/

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.