Hormones Are Changing – Midlife Shifts Explained | Mindful Objective – Real Talk – Episode 37
Midlife hormone changes are something no one talks about—until they hit you. Whether you’re in your 30s, 40s, or 50s, these shifts can affect your energy, mood, weight, and more.
Whether you’re dealing with hot flashes, mood swings, weight gain, or just feel like your body is different, you’re not alone—and you’re not broken.
In Episode 37 of Real Talk, we bring in Bernadette Talley, RN, to break down what’s really going on during midlife transitions like perimenopause, menopause, and even andropause in men. And she’s not just sharing from textbooks—she’s sharing from experience.
Here’s a preview of what we cover and why you should tune in.
Listen to the full episode on your favorite platform
Find links to all podcast platforms at: mindfulobjective.com/podcasts
Or listen directly on:
You May Already Be in Perimenopause (and Not Know It )
Most women think menopause hits suddenly one day and everything just stops. That’s not how it works.
Before menopause comes perimenopause—a phase that can last anywhere from a few years to over a decade. It’s during this time that hormones like progesterone and estrogen start shifting, but not always in predictable ways.
You might still be having regular periods… but feel more anxious, irritable, or foggy. You might gain weight even though nothing has changed. Or you might have trouble sleeping and feel disconnected from your usual energy and drive.
These changes are often dismissed or misdiagnosed because many doctors don’t talk about perimenopause unless someone brings it up first. Even then, the answer is often birth control, antidepressants, or vague reassurances.
In the podcast, Bernadette shares what it was like to go through this as a nurse—and how even she didn’t recognize the signs at first.
Menopause Isn’t the End—But It Might Feel Like One
Officially, menopause is marked by one full year without a period. But for many women, the experience is far more emotional and confusing than that definition lets on.
It’s not just hot flashes and night sweats. Some women feel like they’ve lost themselves—mentally, emotionally, and physically.
Things like:
Brain fog
Sleep problems
Low libido
Fatigue
Weight gain
Joint pain
Irritability
Lack of motivation
…can all become part of daily life. But instead of being told what’s happening or how to support the body naturally, women are often handed medications that treat the symptoms but ignore the root.
Bernadette talks candidly in the episode about how menopause affected her identity and confidence—and how real support changed everything.
Yes, Men Experience It Too—It’s Called Andropause
Men don’t get periods, but they do have hormones that change with age—especially testosterone.
Andropause, sometimes called “male menopause,” is the slow decline of testosterone that can begin as early as the mid-30s.
It often shows up as:
Fatigue
Low motivation
Muscle loss
Belly fat
Mood shifts
Trouble sleeping
Less interest in sex
Unlike menopause, andropause doesn’t happen overnight. But the impact can be just as real—and most men don’t know how to talk about it, let alone get tested or treated.
This episode of Real Talk breaks down what andropause is, how to recognize it, and why it deserves just as much attention as menopause. We also talk about how partners can support one another during these transitions.
Books by Bernadette that are available for purchase on Amazon:
- 30 More Days with JESUS – https://amzn.to/4e8Gn3q
- 30 Days with Jesus: A Prophetic Word from Our Lord and Savior – https://amzn.to/4ewEcXT
- Breast Cancer’s Silver Lining – https://amzn.to/3T0RpxZ
Real Support Goes Beyond Prescriptions
One of the most important takeaways from the episode is that there is more to midlife hormonal health than just medication.
Yes, prescriptions have a place. But they don’t work for everyone—and they rarely address why symptoms are happening in the first place.
Instead of covering up the signs, an integrative health approach focuses on uncovering what’s going on in the bigger picture:
How is your sleep quality?
What’s your stress load?
Are your detox pathways functioning well?
Are you getting enough protein and micronutrients?
Is your blood sugar stable?
We only scratch the surface in this post—but Episode 37 digs deeper into how real people are using lifestyle changes, supplements, lab testing, and mindset shifts to support this stage of life without fear or frustration.
Where to Start: Mindful Objective & Discount Lab Testing
If you want to stop guessing and start getting answers, that’s exactly what we help people do at Mindful Objective.
We specialize in functional lab testing, personalized supplement protocols, and giving you real data to back up what your body is telling you.
For those currently on HRT (hormone replacement therapy) or TRT (testosterone replacement therapy), regular lab work is a must. That’s why we launched a new resource just for you:
Through this platform, you can order deeply discounted bloodwork panels—including testosterone, estradiol, thyroid, DHEA, SHBG, lipid panels, and more—without needing insurance or a doctor’s visit.
It’s simple:
Choose your lab panel
Visit a local LabCorp draw center
Get results privately and quickly
Work with your practitioner or bring the data to us
Whether you’re monitoring your hormone therapy or just trying to get a clearer picture of what’s happening inside, we make it easier and more affordable to take control of your health.
Final Thoughts (But Not Final Answers)
Midlife transitions can feel isolating, confusing, and overwhelming. But they can also be a time of renewal, clarity, and strength—if you have the right tools and support.
That’s what Episode 37 is all about: making sure you’re not left guessing.
So don’t just skim this blog—take 30 minutes to listen to the full episode. It might be exactly what you or someone you love needs to hear right now.
Listen to 37 – Menopause / Andropause – Hormones, Midlife Shifts & What No One Tells You
Now streaming on all major platforms.
Useful Links to Get Started
If you’re ready to take control of your hormone health, we’ve got three key resources for you:
Discount Self-Service Labs
Get high-quality, pre-built hormone panels you can order yourself. No doctor visit required.
https://discounttrtlabs.com
Work with an Integrative Health Practitioner
Explore our foundational protocols, personalized plans, and root-cause approach to men’s health.
https://mindfulobjective.com
Professional-Grade Supplements (20% Off Retail)
Access practitioner-selected supplements delivered to your door at a discount.
https://us.fullscript.com/welcome/mindfulobjective/store-start
If you’re in your late 30s, 40s, or 50s and starting to feel like your body, brain, or emotions are shifting—you’re not imagining things. Hormonal changes are real. But no one really teaches us what to expect.
Whether you’re dealing with hot flashes, mood swings, weight gain, or just feel like your body is different, you’re not alone—and you’re not broken.
In Episode 37 of Real Talk, we bring in Bernadette Talley, RN, to break down what’s really going on during midlife transitions like perimenopause, menopause, and even andropause in men. And she’s not just sharing from textbooks—she’s sharing from experience.
Here’s a preview of what we cover and why you should tune in.
Listen to the full episode on your favorite platform
Find links to all podcast platforms at: mindfulobjective.com/podcasts
Or listen directly on:
You May Already Be in Perimenopause (and Not Know It)
Most women think menopause hits suddenly one day and everything just stops. That’s not how it works.
Before menopause comes perimenopause—a phase that can last anywhere from a few years to over a decade. It’s during this time that hormones like progesterone and estrogen start shifting, but not always in predictable ways.
You might still be having regular periods… but feel more anxious, irritable, or foggy. You might gain weight even though nothing has changed. Or you might have trouble sleeping and feel disconnected from your usual energy and drive.
These changes are often dismissed or misdiagnosed because many doctors don’t talk about perimenopause unless someone brings it up first. Even then, the answer is often birth control, antidepressants, or vague reassurances.
In the podcast, Bernadette shares what it was like to go through this as a nurse—and how even she didn’t recognize the signs at first.
Menopause Isn’t the End—But It Might Feel Like One – Midlife Hormone Changes are Real!
Officially, menopause is marked by one full year without a period. But for many women, the experience is far more emotional and confusing than that definition lets on.
It’s not just hot flashes and night sweats. Some women feel like they’ve lost themselves—mentally, emotionally, and physically.
Things like:
Brain fog
Sleep problems
Low libido
Fatigue
Weight gain
Joint pain
Irritability
Lack of motivation
…can all become part of daily life. But instead of being told what’s happening or how to support the body naturally, women are often handed medications that treat the symptoms but ignore the root.
Bernadette talks candidly in the episode about how menopause affected her identity and confidence—and how real support changed everything.
Yes, Men Experience It Too—It’s Called Andropause
Men don’t get periods, but they do have hormones that change with age—especially testosterone.
Andropause, sometimes called “male menopause,” is the slow decline of testosterone that can begin as early as the mid-30s.
It often shows up as:
Fatigue
Low motivation
Muscle loss
Belly fat
Mood shifts
Trouble sleeping
Less interest in sex
Unlike menopause, andropause doesn’t happen overnight. But the impact can be just as real—and most men don’t know how to talk about it, let alone get tested or treated.
This episode of Real Talk breaks down what andropause is, how to recognize it, and why it deserves just as much attention as menopause. We also talk about how partners can support one another during these transitions.
Real Support Goes Beyond Prescriptions
One of the most important takeaways from the episode is that there is more to midlife hormonal health than just medication.
Yes, prescriptions have a place. But they don’t work for everyone—and they rarely address why symptoms are happening in the first place.
Instead of covering up the signs, an integrative health approach focuses on uncovering what’s going on in the bigger picture:
How is your sleep quality?
What’s your stress load?
Are your detox pathways functioning well?
Are you getting enough protein and micronutrients?
Is your blood sugar stable?
We only scratch the surface in this post—but Episode 37 digs deeper into how real people are using lifestyle changes, supplements, lab testing, and mindset shifts to support this stage of life without fear or frustration.
Where to Start: Mindful Objective & Discount Lab Testing
If you want to stop guessing and start getting answers, that’s exactly what we help people do at Mindful Objective.
We specialize in functional lab testing, personalized supplement protocols, and giving you real data to back up what your body is telling you.
For those currently on HRT (hormone replacement therapy) or TRT (testosterone replacement therapy), regular lab work is a must. That’s why we launched a new resource just for you:
Through this platform, you can order deeply discounted bloodwork panels—including testosterone, estradiol, thyroid, DHEA, SHBG, lipid panels, and more—without needing insurance or a doctor’s visit.
It’s simple:
Choose your lab panel
Visit a local LabCorp draw center
Get results privately and quickly
Work with your practitioner or bring the data to us
Whether you’re monitoring your hormone therapy or just trying to get a clearer picture of what’s happening inside, we make it easier and more affordable to take control of your health.
Final Thoughts (But Not Final Answers)
Midlife transitions can feel isolating, confusing, and overwhelming. But they can also be a time of renewal, clarity, and strength—if you have the right tools and support.
That’s what Episode 37 is all about: making sure you’re not left guessing.
So don’t just skim this blog—take 30 minutes to listen to the full episode. It might be exactly what you or someone you love needs to hear right now.
Listen to 37 – Menopause / Andropause – Hormones, Midlife Shifts & What No One Tells You
Now streaming on all major platforms.
Useful Links to Get Started
If you’re ready to take control of your hormone health, we’ve got three key resources for you:
Discount Self-Service Labs
Get high-quality, pre-built hormone panels you can order yourself. No doctor visit required.
https://discounttrtlabs.com
Work with an Integrative Health Practitioner
Explore our foundational protocols, personalized plans, and root-cause approach to men’s health.
https://mindfulobjective.com
Professional-Grade Supplements (20% Off Retail)
Access practitioner-selected supplements delivered to your door at a discount.
https://us.fullscript.com/welcome/mindfulobjective/store-start
