Well Beyond 40

How can you transform stress and anxiety into creative energy? In this episode, JJ Virgin talks with actor, teacher, and author Josh Pais to explore the surprising connections between emotions, health, and creativity. Josh shares how his struggles with anxiety led him to discover a new way of understanding feelings as vibrations rather than problems to fix. Together, they dive into how presence, play, and embracing the full range of human sensations can unlock creativity, authenticity, and better health.   Josh Pais is an actor (Joker, TMNT, and 150+ other film and TV credits) and the creator of Committed Impulse, a training method used by top performers, entrepreneurs, and Navy SEALs to master presence and overcome anxiety. His book, Lose Your Mind: The Path to Creative Invincibility, teaches practical tools to unlock creative flow and emotional resilience. Josh blends science and storytelling to help people show up fully alive—on stage, in business, and in life. What you’ll learn in this episode: (01:21) How Josh’s early struggles with anxiety and auditioning led him to reframe emotions as vibrations in the body. (05:20) Why suppression is just another form of managing emotions.  (06:49) The seven-to-twelve-second window that allows emotions to naturally shift when you fully feel them. (10:09) How I experience anxiety differently by leaning into the sensation rather than resisting it. (12:41) The greatest myth of our time: that emotions can be categorized as good or bad. (18:35) Why suppressing emotions can create “lock boxes” in the body that eventually manifest as tension or illness. (25:38) Josh’s four access points to presence that anyone can practice daily to reconnect with their body and creativity. (37:53) The one simple shift you can make today to open yourself to creativity. Love the podcast? Here’s what to do: Subscribe to the podcast.  Leave a review.  Text a screenshot to me at 813-565-2627 and wait for a personal reply because your voice is so important to me. Want to listen to the show completely ad-free?  Go to http://subscribetojj.com Click “TRY FREE” and start your ad-free journey today! When you’re ready, enjoy the VIP experience for just $4.99/month or $49.99/year (save 17%!) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It’s not tofu versus steak. It’s both. There’s a battle raging in the health world over plant vs. animal protein—but the truth is, this isn’t an either/or game. It’s about combining the best of both to fuel muscle, metabolism, and longevity. In this episode, JJ Virgin breaks down the science of protein for women over 40 and shows how to use both plant and animal proteins to: 1. Hit your macros without overeating calories. 2. Burn fat while protecting hard-earned muscle. 3. Balance hunger hormones and control cravings. 4. Boost energy, brain health, and longevity with key nutrients. 5. Build delicious, satisfying meals that fit your lifestyle. What you’ll learn: (0:45) Why protein is more than fuel—it’s your body’s construction crew for muscles, skin, enzymes, and immune health. (2:30) How inadequate protein intake leads to muscle loss, slowed metabolism, and accelerated aging. (5:10) The role of protein in muscle protein synthesis and why your body needs more after age 40. (7:20) How protein boosts metabolism through thermogenesis and helps regulate hunger hormones like GLP-1 and ghrelin. (10:05) The science behind the protein leverage hypothesis and how it helps control overeating. (12:40) Why animal proteins are complete, highly bioavailable, and rich in leucine.  (19:15) The critical nutrients in animal protein (e.g., choline, creatine) that are difficult to replace with plants alone. (31:00) My favorite protein-packed meal combinations that blend animal and plant sources for delicious, balanced nutrition. Love the podcast? Here’s what to do: Subscribe to the podcast.  Leave a review.  Text a screenshot to me at 813-565-2627 and wait for a personal reply because your voice is so important to me. Want to listen to the show completely ad-free?  Go to http://subscribetojj.com Click “TRY FREE” and start your ad-free journey today! When you’re ready, enjoy the VIP experience for just $4.99/month or $49.99/year (save 17%!) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Eric Edmeades, an entrepreneur and author who has spent years living among the Hadza people, reveals fascinating insights on ancestral health. He discusses how the Hadza's lifestyle promotes resilience and mental health, highlighting their unique relationship with food scarcity and abundance. Eric contrasts their daily routines and diets with modern practices, explaining the harmful effects of agriculture on health. He also shares strategies for building strength through daily challenges and the importance of varied movement for overall wellness.

Discover why women over 40 need creatine more than men and how a deficiency can affect energy and brain function. Learn about the differences between creatine monohydrate and HCL—one causing discomfort and the other offering better absorption. Get practical dosing tips tailored to your stress levels and workout routine. Hear real-world success stories of improved energy and cognitive performance, including travel without jet lag. This informative guide reshapes perspectives on a powerful supplement.

Dr. Ted Naiman, a board-certified family physician and nutrition expert, shares groundbreaking insights on weight loss for women over 40. He reveals the concept of protein leverage, explaining how prioritizing protein can reduce cravings and help manage hunger. Naiman discusses the unique challenges women face due to hormonal changes and dietary misconceptions. He introduces a four-factor satiety scoring system and stresses the importance of calorie quality over quantity, revolutionizing how we think about dieting and satisfaction.

Confused about breakfast and fat loss? Discover the crucial timing for your first meal that could transform your day! Learn why women over 40 should embrace higher protein breakfasts to combat energy crashes. Find out how to identify your coffee metabolism type and its impact on sleep. Say goodbye to blood sugar swings and hello to sustained energy with tailored nutrition strategies. Unravel the myths around intermittent fasting and empowering eating habits for midlife wellness.

In this engaging conversation, Dr. Robert Whitfield, a leading holistic plastic surgeon, addresses the often-overlooked issue of breast implant illness. He highlights groundbreaking findings, revealing that 29% of explant specimens show bacterial contamination and that 83% of his patients struggle with detoxification. Dr. Whitfield emphasizes the importance of recognizing patients' intuition about their health, while sharing transformative recovery stories and advocating for comprehensive care that includes genetic and holistic considerations.

Discover a game-changing approach for fat loss that prioritizes muscle preservation over traditional dieting pitfalls. Learn why it’s crucial for women over 40 to focus on a balanced diet and exercise rather than just calorie counting. Uncover the science behind a tailored nutrition and workout strategy that promotes muscle gain while burning fat effectively. Explore the importance of the 'trifecta for satiety' to manage hunger and stabilize blood sugar levels, setting the foundation for sustainable health as you age.

"Trauma becomes a burden that the body carries…and it's up to you to decide, do I still want to carry this or do I want to put it down?" - Dr. Aimie Apigian You know how some women say they sailed through menopause like it was no big deal, while others struggle intensely with symptoms that seem to come out of nowhere? I used to think it was just hormones and genetics, but what I've discovered through my conversation with Dr. Aimie Apigian completely shifted my perspective on trauma healing women over 40. Here's what blew my mind: that autoimmune condition, the weight that won't budge, the anxiety that hits during perimenopause, the gut issues that seemed to appear overnight - they might not just be about declining hormones. They could be your body finally revealing trauma that's been stored in your tissues for years, waiting for the right biological trigger to surface. And menopause? That's often the perfect storm that brings it all to light. Dr. Aimie, a double board-certified physician and author of "The Biology of Trauma," explains why traditional therapy often falls short and why your body needs very specific things to heal - things that address not just your psychology, but the actual biological changes trauma creates in your cells, your immune system, and your nervous system. What's even more encouraging? She's seeing profound shifts in just 21 days when people get the right tools.  Notice when you create unnecessary stress for yourself this week - rushing out the door, picking fights, or choosing stimulating foods. Ask yourself: "How does this serve me?" You might be surprised by the answer. What you’ll learn: Why your capacity for stress shrinks during perimenopause - and how trauma stored in your body gets amplified during hormonal transitions The critical difference between stress and trauma - one energizes you, the other shuts down your mitochondria, thyroid, and metabolism How to recognize if you're living at your overwhelm line - and why trauma survivors unconsciously seek out that dangerous edge The real reason traditional talk therapy might have left you feeling worse - and what your body actually needs to release stored trauma Why lifting weights isn't just about building muscle - it's about building your capacity to handle hard things emotionally The three nervous system states you cycle through daily - and how to shift from overwhelm back to calm using somatic techniques How trauma shows up in your relationships, health, and daily life patterns - even if you scored zero on childhood adverse events The surprising connection between the vagus nerve and gut health - and why "vagus nerve toning" can sometimes backfire Love the Podcast? Here’s what to do: Make My Day & Share Your Thoughts! Subscribe to the podcast & leave me a review Text a screenshot to 813-565-2627 Expect a personal reply because your voice is so important to me. Join 55,000+ followers who make this podcast thrive. Want to listen to the show completely ad-free?  Go to subscribetojj.com Enjoy the VIP experience for just $4.99/month or $49.99/year (save 17%!) Click “TRY FREE” and start your ad-free journey today! Full show notes (including all links mentioned): https://jjvirgin.com/bot Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

After decades in the health industry, I'm on a mission to get rid of traditional scales. Here's why: We've been focusing on the wrong metric for far too long, and it's doing real metabolic damage, especially to women over 40. In this episode, I'm diving into everything I've learned about body composition through my doctoral studies and 30+ years of experience working with thousands of women. The truth is, muscle is your organ of longevity, and starting around age 30, we can lose up to 1% of our muscle mass each year - that loss doubles after 60. But here's what I've discovered: when you shift your focus from weight loss to body recomposition, everything changes. I'm sharing my exact protocol for measuring what really matters (hint: it's not the number on your scale), including the specific tools I use at home and the professional assessments that give you the complete picture. Plus, I'll reveal how my husband dropped 27 pounds of fat while gaining 24 pounds of muscle in just 8 months using these strategies.  What you’ll learn: Why women can handle 18-25% body fat and stay metabolically healthy (and why that's actually good news) The dangerous type of fat you need to watch (it's not where you think) and how to measure it at home How to know if you're losing muscle or fat when the scale goes down - and the simple morning test that tells you The exact body composition measurements that predict longevity better than weight My personal DEXA scan results and why they differ 5% from my home measurements (and why that's okay) The optimal rate of fat loss that preserves muscle (spoiler: it's slower than you think) Why "newbie gains" can help you build muscle faster if you're just starting resistance training The cutting-edge bone density test that revealed issues my DEXA scans missed for years Love the Podcast? Here’s what to do: Make My Day & Share Your Thoughts! Subscribe to the podcast & leave me a review Text a screenshot to 813-565-2627 Expect a personal reply because your voice is so important to me. Join 55,000+ followers who make this podcast thrive. Want to listen to the show completely ad-free?  Go to subscribetojj.com Enjoy the VIP experience for just $4.99/month or $49.99/year (save 17%!) Click “TRY FREE” and start your ad-free journey today! Full show notes (including all links mentioned): https://jjvirgin.com/bodyrecomp Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices